Outreach and Public Engagement
In the first year, the key aims were to establish an active outreach programme with a focus on building networks, prototypes and training programmes. In the second year and beyond, the plan is to build upon those foundations, cementing relationships, embedding continuity and collecting data on which outreach activities are fruitful and which have the potential for the greatest impact in line with the expectations of researchers and the public.
A 2024 survey of VaxHub Sustainable members carried out by the public engagement and outreach team led by Dr Stephen Morris (UCL) and Dr Sean Elias (Oxford), revealed a broad range of engagement approaches with the potential need for more of an online presence. Publication of the new VaxHub websites this year provides the perfect framework for developing this area of engagement with the help of our partners.
Continuity has been a big part of the second year of outreach work with the continuation of the school programmes and workshops into 2024- 25 and return visits to some of our successful event venues including the Festival of the Girl in Islington, London. The team is now beginning to document the initial successes of early VaxHub funded projects.
Developing project-focused resources and activities, and evaluating these with public input, should positively impact the sharing of these with the wider public.
This year marks a significant development in our educational partnership with North Hertfordshire College (NHC) by offering a trial programme of full work experience placements in UCL based VaxHub laboratories for 12 T-Level applied sciences students.
A key goal for the future is to continue to expand partnerships within and outside of academic circles. This includes more event partnerships with industry, community groups and healthcare professionals.
Representatives recently attended the Festival of Tomorrow in Swindon, enabling initial discussions with the local NHS Integrated Care Board about the possibility of promoting the work of VaxHub Sustainable to both healthcare practitioners and local communities in a town with little to no academic presence. In the same vein of developing interactions with local communities we have continued to be an active member of the Newham Centre for Health and Care Equity, strengthening partnerships with local schools and aspire to extend outreach and policy interactions with other local communities in the future.
Policy Engagement
In July 2024, the VaxHub Futures Forum on Pandemic Preparedness brought together more than 50 participants from academia, government, industry, funding and advisory bodies to explore potential future scenarios and identify key priority areas for action for better future pandemic preparedness, captured in the report VaxHub Futures Forum on Pandemic Preparedness: Are We Really Ready?.
The Labour Government’s commitment to a new industrial strategy presented VaxHub Sustainable with the opportunity to make a strong case for increasing the UK’s medicine manufacturing capacity, including vaccine manufacturing, in the Hub’s response to the Industrial Strategy Consultation.
VaxHub Sustainable’s written submission to the call for evidence on Engineering Biology was accepted by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee and informed the Committee’s final report that made policy recommendations to the Government and other key organisations.
The Committee also took evidence on the UK’s Covid-19 vaccine development and future pandemic preparedness from VaxHub researchers Professor Catherine Green, Dr Sandy Douglas and Dr Adam Ritchie. This led to the Chair of the Committee writing to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to express concerns about the UK’s ability to manufacture vaccines in a future pandemic.
More policy outputs
The team has published a number of position papers and contributed to consultations and calls for evidence including:
- Technology Adoption Review’, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Fourth health and climate adaptation report’. led by UKHSA and NHS England
- Innovation, growth and the regions’ inquiry led by the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee.
Further reading
- Lessons from the Covid-19 vaccine rollout – House of Lords Science and Technology Committee oral evidence session with VaxHub researchers
- VaxHub Sustainable’s written submission to the call for evidence on Engineering Biology
- Unlocking growth: the promise held by sustainable medicines manufacturing position paper
Events
Past Events
VaxHub Sustainable Grand Challenge (GC) Research Group meeting 2024
On 1st May 2024, the VaxHub Sustainable GC Research Group convened at UCL East and online to discuss ongoing research, collaboration opportunities, and future initiatives. The session began with an overview of VaxHub Sustainable, outlining the structure, work packages, deliverables, and funding strategies. Discussions covered engagement with industry partners, training opportunities for ECRs, and the role of specialist working groups (SWGs) in policy, outreach, and public engagement.
Following a networking lunch break, the focus shifted to group discussions where eight researchers (PDRAs and RAs) provided updates on their ongoing projects. This session allowed for knowledge exchange, feedback, and the alignment of research priorities within the VaxHub remit. Attendees then participated in the Manufacturing Future Lab (MFL) tour, gaining insight into the latest facilities and experimental work supporting vaccine research.
VaxHub Sustainable and VaxHub Global Joint Symposium
The first VaxHub Joint Symposium, held in Oxford on 19th and 20th September 2024, brought together experts from academia, industry and government bodies to discuss advancements in vaccine development and manufacturing. The event allowed prospective members to gain deeper insights into the hubs’ vision and research on grand challenges led by academic partners, and to hear keynote presentations covering a range of critical topics:
- Paediatric vaccine
- Addressing the last mile of vaccine
- mRNA vaccine implementation in Latin
- Sustainable vaccine development and future
Delegates also had the opportunity to engage with leading experts across various fields. Networking opportunities included a dinner on the first night, fostering connections between industry leaders, academics and policymakers. In addition, an interactive round-table discussion was held, where themes were guided by industry preferences, facilitating targeted conversations and collaboration among participants. The symposium not only highlighted cutting-edge vaccine research but also provided valuable opportunities for attendees to engage with experts and explore potential collaborations.
Event in numbers:
- Almost 100 attendees from 12 countries (UK, Morocco, Bangladesh, India, Brazil, Thailand, Luxembourg, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, USA, Canada).
- 31 prospective industry/organisation
- Average satisfaction score: 78/5.
- 91% of those who gave feedback identified opportunities for potential collaboration at the event.
Spring and summer* events 2024–25
*Scheduled meetings at time of going to press.
VaxHub Sustainable GC Research Group meeting 2025
7th April 2025
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
VaxHub Sustainable International Advisory Board meeting
19th May 2025
Online
VaxHub Sustainable Users’ Group meeting
The event brings together the research group, users (industry members), funders and international advisory board members to hear research updates, share feedback and shape the future direction of the Hub. Attendees will also have opportunities to hear keynote presentations, gain an insight into the work of member organisations and learn about platform funding opportunities.
Industry Engagement
VaxHub Sustainable is committed to engaging with a wide range of industry stakeholders. Effective engagement and the development of an industry-wide consortium of stakeholders are pivotal to our vision to deliver sustainable manufacturing innovations. If you are interested in joining VaxHub Sustainable, please contact vaxhub@ucl.ac.uk
Our network
VaxHub Sustainable has a dedicated industry relations team. To date, they have engaged with more than 60 prospective industry or sector partners, ranging from researchers at higher education institutions, to SMEs and large vaccine manufacturers involved in upstream and downstream vaccine processing, as well as those with a focus on formulation and innovative sustainable packaging and delivery solutions. These organisations are now engaging in the contracting process to join the Hub.
Member benefits
Joining the Hub gives members access to a range of benefits including:
- Exposure to Hub-funded
- Opportunities to co-define projects aligned to members’ priorities and industrial challenges.
- Access to translational research and opportunities for technology
- Staff training
- Access to world-leading experts and scientific
- Access to Platform Funding opportunities with over £1million in funds to be awarded across the lifetime of the Hub.
- The opportunity to participate in Hub meetings and networking events and hear about the latest vaccine and engineering technology developments.
- Research news and collaborate on future funding
- Influence
- Attend workshops related to research topics, sustainability, EDI, public and policy engagement.
Platform Funding
In January 2025 VaxHub Sustainable launched the first opportunity for network members to apply for project funding via a competitive call. In parallel with VaxHub Global, this is the first of six upcoming calls with five further calls scheduled over the lifetime of both hubs. A total of £1million will be awarded by each hub in accordance with the following call timeline:
The recent call was designed to be open in terms of the scope of topics. Projects could have focussed on testing or demonstrating research results (experimental methods, analytical techniques, etc.) generated on a VaxHub related vaccine technology (viral vectored, VLP, mRNA and conjugated vaccines). It was important that projects related to VaxHub Sustainable themes and could address research questions derived from prior academic study or responded to industry identified needs in the manufacture of vaccines. To be eligible to apply for a funded project, applicants had to be members of VaxHub Sustainable (i.e. have signed the research collaboration agreement by the call end date). Proposals were assessed in a number of different areas including novelty, value for money, impact and commitment to EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) with priority given to projects that could show a novel collaboration that would not otherwise be possible.
As of May 2025, the application assessment process is ongoing, and the successful projects will be announced shortly via the VaxHub Sustainable website. Projects are due to commence later this year and will be carried out between July 2025 and June 2026.
VaxHub Sustainable Platform Funding Key Figures:
- £1million in funding
- Three calls for
- Three to four projects funded in each
- £75k–£100k per
- 6 – 12 month project
- 20% matched top-up contribution
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Activities
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) vision of the Hub remains to both implement and beacon best practice across the sector (including Higher Education (HE)/research institutes and industrial partners).
The practicalities of embedding EDI within the Hub have been constantly reviewed. There has been a focus on ensuring that EDI practice is combined with responsible research and innovation.
Equity within (and out with) VaxHub Sustainable remains focussed on the following areas:
- Implementation
- Beaconing
- Stakeholder engagement
- Knowledge sharing
- Advocacy
- Mentoring
- Policy advice
- Public
To advance the EDI vision and goals, we have engaged in two collaborative endeavours. VaxHub Sustainable is an integral part of the EPSRC EDI Hub+ and is using this to both learn and beacon activities. The main focus is to solidify the creation of the network of hubs and to have an initial focus on the equitable sharing of flexible funds. VaxHub Sustainable has always had a focus on the pipeline of researchers so there are preliminary links to the doctoral access programme In2Research and historic links to the pre-university work conducted by the outreach team. In addition, the focus is also elsewhere in the pipeline of vaccine research via work with the Royal Academy of Engineering to address the issues faced by ECRs from underrepresented groups. This support, when finalised, aiming to address the “Hidden Curriculum”, will be shared across the hubs and the entire engineering profession, with a view to adapting it for the entire HE sector.
Athena SWAN Recognition
In alignment with this EDI vision and the gender equality aspirations of the Athena SWAN Charter, VaxHub Sustainable is proud that the efforts of the host institutions of its co-directors and co-investigators have been duly recognised.
Gold
UCL Biochemical Engineering
Silver
UCL School of Pharmacy
University of Oxford Nuffield
Department of Medicine
University of Leeds Faculty of Biological Sciences
Bronze
Manchester University School of Engineering
LSHTM single institutional award
