b'Communications and OutreachRAISING AWARENESS OF BIOFILMS IN THE UK AND BEYONDPublic Engagement (dialoguing with the public about our research) and Outreach (raising science aspirations of the younger generation) about biofilms are extremely important activities to maximise the impact of NBIC, and for society to gain an understanding of what biofilms are and how they relate to daily life. NBIC has a Public Engagement and Outreach Officer and a Committee in place to support these activities. NBIC are conducting a wide range of activities across the UK (from biofilm dances to biofilms in a train station or at IKEA). We want to deliver our vision for Public Engagementand healthcare, to inspire young people, and support and Outreach, laid out in the strategy we developed ineverybody in NBIC in undertaking these activities. We 2020. We want to reach the public with an active interestare regularly developing appropriate resources for in biofilms related topics, such as home hygienewider use to lead and inspire projects and through our dedicated grant scheme, we offer up to 3,000 for public engagement or outreach projects. Any NBIC affiliated individual or group can apply for this funding, and they can also seek guidance and support directly from NBICs Public Engagement and Outreach Officer for their own projects. In 2020/21, we funded 7 projects, including diverse activities such as a Biofilm Brainhub website for the wider public, a microbiology themed card game and educational books.Biofilm Hunt activities (Edinburgh, Nottingham and #Biofilmweek Southampton).Two national biofilm photography competitions.In August 2020 we launched our biofilm awarenessBiofilm Brainhub website in partnership with the campaign. Through a blend of content, events andQuadram Institute.outreach activities #BiofilmAware works to raise awareness of NBIC and its research, and the societalMicroBattle (B) card game: A microbiology themed and economic impact of biofilms. Activities havecompetitive card game with the aim to win battles included: of simulated microbial biofilm growth against your opponent. The MicroBattle Project was funded by our Creation of a campaign hub, containing a varietyNBIC Public Engagement Grant 2020-2021.of educational resources, downloadable social media assets and a campaign guide.The launch of our Open Innovation partnering platform, hosted by Innoget.Priority Questions for Microbial Biofilms exercise#BiofilmWeek: Our first biofilm awareness week took with international partners. You can find out moreplace between 1622 August 2021 and promoted the about this initiative on page 18. economic and physical impact that biofilms have on our Coccus Pocus 2020Biofilms and AMR Scaryworld and highlighted research taking place to prevent, Story Competition. detect, manage and engineer biofilms across our partner Creation of the International Biofilm Marketsinstitutions and beyond. A dedicated #BiofilmWeek infographic pack and outreach resource. webpage included tools and resources to support scientists in industry and academia to create their Bad Bugs Bookclub: World Antimicrobialown content in order to showcase their research and Awareness Week. technologies throughout the week.32'