Medical Microbiologist and Antimicrobial Resistance Researcher Dr. Oluwole Owoyemi, ASM Young Ambassador to the UK, reveals why he designed a scientific writing and publishing workshop for early career scientists - and how it went.
One of the most pressing challenges I have consistently observed both as a researcher and mentor is the gap between conducting high-quality research and successfully communicating it through publication. Early-career researchers frequently report uncertainty around manuscript structure, responding to peer review, selecting appropriate journals, and understanding editorial expectations. As a result, this real-world need directly motivated me to design and lead a Scientific Writing and Publishing Workshop tailored specifically to postgraduate students and early-career scientists in the UK and globally.
The workshop was sponsored by ASM through the Young Ambassador Project Fund (YAPF), and delivered as a hybrid programme, combining an in-person event hosted at Glasgow Caledonian University in October 2025 with a follow-up international webinar in December 2025. This format ensured both local engagement and wider accessibility, enabling participation from researchers across multiple UK institutions, including the University of Glasgow, and the University of Oxford, as well as internationally.
Distinguished guest speakers
Moreover, the workshop brought together distinguished guest speakers with complementary expertise. Award-winning Prof. Gordon Ramage (Professor of Infection Prevention and Control at GCU and Editor-in-Chief of Critical Reviews in Microbiology) offered practical guidance on structuring scientific manuscripts, navigating reviewer comments, and building a successful editorial career.
Prof. Nicola Veitch (Professor of Bioscience Education and Parasitology at the University of Glasgow) provided insights into effective publishing practices, professional development, and fostering inclusive learning environments within the biosciences.
Iyiola Oladunjoye, a doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford delivered a session on publication pathways and early-career researcher development, emphasising strategies for impactful scientific communication and collaboration. I also contributed sessions introducing ASM’s mission, early-career opportunities, and practical publication skills.
Key sections of the workshop focused on structuring scientific manuscripts, developing compelling abstracts, navigating peer review, responding to reviewers’ comments, and building sustainable publishing careers. Participants engaged in hands-on writing exercises, allowing immediate application of concepts discussed. Across both the in-person and webinar editions, the workshop attracted 89 initial registrants, with 40 attendees on campus and over 150 registrations for the online session.
Rewarding and important
Feedback from participants consistently highlighted increased confidence, clarity around the publication process, and practical skills that could be applied immediately to their own manuscripts. Leading this initiative was both professionally rewarding and strategically important for me. Additionally, it demonstrated how targeted training, delivered through international scientific societies, can meaningfully strengthen research culture within the UK.
READ MORE: Connecting with microbiologists and presenting research: Oluwole Owoyemi reports back from ASM 2024
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Building on this success, I plan to expand similar capacity-building initiatives, integrating scientific communication, AMR education, and early-career mentorship. This workshop represents a concrete example of leadership-driven impact within the UK research ecosystem, aligned with ASM’s global capacity-building mission and the broader goals of strengthening excellence in microbiology.
To access the Workshop Recording, click HERE.
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my profound gratitude to Applied Microbiology International for the 2024 Scientific Event Travel Award that set the foundation for this entire journey. Special appreciation also goes to American Society for Microbiology for the leadership trainings and funding the workshop, to Professors Ramage and Veitch for their invaluable expertise, and to Iyiola Oladunjoye for speaking at the sessions. Grateful to Olumide Badejo, and Elizabeth Akinleye (née Odetunde) for their invaluable contributions towards the success of the workshop, and to all the researchers who participated with enthusiasm and dedication.
Dr. Oluwole Owoyemi (Ph.D., MPH) is a UK-based Medical Microbiologist and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) researcher, with a PhD in Medical Microbiology and a Master of Public Health from Glasgow Caledonian University.
He currently serves as the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Young Ambassador to the United Kingdom, a competitive leadership role focused on advancing the microbial sciences through research capacity building, professional training, and community engagement.
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