In May 2021, immunology educators and BSI members, Dr Nigel Francis of Cardiff University, Dr Tom Wilkinson of Swansea University and Prof Rob Nibbs of the University of Glasgow published a paper in the journal Immunology entitled “Reimagining laboratory-based immunology education in the time of COVID-19”. In this paper, they elaborated on the challenges the pandemic had brought to teaching research and laboratory-based skills. Here, Dr Francis and Dr Wilkinson further discuss these points and explore the diverse approaches taken to replace lab-based immunology teaching. They explain how networks of educators have driven innovation, project diversification, the use of a mixed model system and the adoption of advanced techniques such as AR and VR. Finally, they discuss how other immunology educators and BSI members can take advantage of all these innovations heading into the future.
