Inclusivity

1. Multi-major

We are well aware that iGEM is a highly interdisciplinary and integrative competition where an outstanding project thrives on the infusion of fresh perspectives from various fields. Bearing this in mind during the initial recruitment phase, BNUZH-China ensured a truly diverse composition of team members. In addition to Biology, our team comprises students with expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, English, and so on. As a result of the intense collision of different disciplines and perspectives, our project showcases remarkable inclusivity and demonstrates the strength that arises from such diversity.

2. Women in STEM

In addition, we placed a special emphasis on the contribution of women in our team. Research conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveals the persistent gender disparities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields worldwide, suggesting that the untapped potential of women in STEM remains significant. We firmly believe that fostering gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but also a vital means of driving groundbreaking achievements in science and technology. This year, BNUZH-China boasts a substantial representation of talented women, who have been continuously encouraged to showcase their expertise throughout the entire project cycle. They have undertaken crucial responsibilities in Experiment, Model, and Human Practices segment, where they have impressively exhibited their exceptional capabilities.

BNUZH-China team constantly engages in profound reflection at every stage of our project: Are we truly fulfilling our responsibility to the world and making a positive impact? Have we met our initial objectives? This mindset has led us to undertake two significant iterations in our Education, with inclusivity serving as the prime guiding factor throughout.

During the first iteration, we focused on enhancing the format of science outreach. Recognizing that we wanted to captivate individuals beyond the field of biology and allow them to experience the allure of synthetic biology, we chose to wrap the otherwise dry written knowledge in an artistic package. This gave birth to the spectacular "Art Alive" series of events (For more details: Education). By blending art with diverse disciplines such as visual arts, music, theater, literature, and cinema, we injected a vibrant and inclusive spirit into our scientific outreach.

Moving into the second iteration, our attention shifted towards expanding the target audience for our Education. Throughout our exploration of the artistic realm, an epiphany struck us: art, indeed, as a powerful tool, is ultimately just a vessel suited for all types of knowledge. To genuinely broaden the scope of our popular science initiatives, we understood the need to combine the enchantment of art with finely-tailored audience segmentation. Thus, after vigorous brainstorming sessions, BNUZH-China crafted a comprehensive range of popular science programs catering to diverse groups (For more details: Education). Initiating from a local school level and progressing to encompass entire cities, nations, and ultimately the world, we incrementally amplify the reach of our scientific communication endeavors, with inclusivity seamlessly integrated into the very fabric of our Education framework.

1. Voluntary Teaching- Across the Nation

When it comes to education, our team members have been deeply concerned about the issue of unequal access to educational resources. We couldn’t turn a blind eye to the fact that many remote areas in China have limited educational opportunities, and the field of synthetic biology might be completely alien to them. We were determined to bridge this gap and ensure that no one gets left behind in the journey of synthetic biology.

That’s why this year BNUZH-China embarked on an ambitious project called “BioEduConnect” (For more details: Education). We wanted to ignite the fire of synthetic biology in areas that had been overlooked. So, we reached out to numerous voluntary teaching teams, forging strong partnerships built on a shared vision. Together, we were determined to bring the wonders of synthetic biology to the most distant corners of our vast nation.

Finally, our team members set off on an exhilarating adventure, venturing to 16 schools scattered across 13 provinces throughout China. Armed with enthusiasm and knowledge, we conducted captivating scientific outreach activities. But we didn’t stop at just enlightening young minds. We made sure that we left a lasting impact. We distributed our meticulously crafted synthetic biology manuals, cancer awareness handbook, and gifts designed by our team.

It’s worth mentioning that these schools are all situated in the 832 designated poverty-stricken counties in China, which are concentrated in ethnic minority areas, revolutionary old districts, border regions, and extremely impoverished areas. We hope to break through regional and ethnic barriers, allowing more individuals who have never had contact with synthetic biology to enter the world of biology. Throughout the outreach process, we continuously collected the thoughts and suggestions of these promising young students regarding synthetic biology, iGEM, and our project, providing timely feedback to improve our initiatives.

Perhaps these children, who are still naive and inexperienced, will fall in love with synthetic biology through our scientific outreach and embark on a path of research, becoming outstanding talents in the future. We believe this is what we all hope to see.

2. iGBA- Hong Kong and Macau

iGEMers in China can relate to this deeply: teams from Hong Kong and Macau rarely participate in traditional meetups. Even in southern China region meeting, which was held in region geographically close to Hong Kong and Macau, and in nationwide CCiC, it’s been rare to catch a glimpse of their presence. Furthermore, because mainland residents need permits to travel to Hong Kong and Macau, and there are restrictions on the number of crossings per year, the visits from mainland residents have been few and far between, let alone the possibility of conducting regular offline iGEM meetings.

However, we firmly believe that connecting and collaborating with iGEM teams from Hong Kong and Macau hold great significance. It’s not just a chance to exchange experiences with other exceptional teams, but also an opportunity to broaden our international perspectives, break free from conventional thinking, and embrace diverse cultures.

Therefore, in order to bridge the gap between iGEMers from mainland China and the Hong Kong-Macau region, we’ve taken the initiative to host the 1^st iGEM Greater Bay Area Synthetic Biology Industry-Academia-Research Forum (iGBA), an event that epitomizes our commitment to fostering communication and collaboration (For more details: Integrated Human Practices). iGBA serves as a pioneering force, showcasing the astounding potential of inter-regional cooperation. With this forum as our catalyst, we seek to inspire other regions across mainland China to follow suit, embarking on a transformative journey towards comprehensive and inclusive communication.

Furthermore, we understand that some teams and individuals may have exceptional circumstances that prevent their physical attendance at the conference. To accommodate this, we’ve made provisions for online participation, striving to expand the coverage of conference attendees as much as possible. Beyond fostering communication among iGEM teams in the Greater Bay Area, iGBA boasts an extraordinary highlight: industry-academia-research collaboration. We have woven a network, connecting mainland China iGEM teams with the vibrant tapestry of companies and research institutes from Hong Kong and Macau. This has opened doors for stakeholders from different regions and domains to actively participate in the design and iteration of iGEM projects, contributing their valuable ideas and suggestions, further facilitating the promotion and application of iGEM and synthetic biology across a broader range of disciplines and industries.

1. Podcast

This year, BNUZH-China and BNU-China have partnered to launch a series of popular science podcasts on synthetic biology called "Takeaway Biology" (For more details: Education). In addition to providing insightful analysis of iGEM projects that can be easily understood, we also delivered weekly updates on various topics related to synthetic biology. This innovative form of science communication, developed by BNUZH-China 2023, aims to offer an immersive experience through both visual and auditory means, showcasing our reflections and achievements in project iteration, HP activity planning, iGEM competitions, and synthetic biology as a whole.

It is worth mentioning that we initially chose to deliver the podcasts in both Chinese and English. This decision not only allows Chinese listeners to engage with our content more easily, but also ensures accessibility for people around the world. Our vision is to enable anyone, regardless of their location or native language, to enjoy our podcasts with just a simple click. We firmly believe that when it comes to science, language should never be a barrier.

However, during our Education campaign "CancerCare: Seniors and Health Wisdom", aimed at providing cancer-related knowledge to the elderly, we encountered a significant issue. In rural areas where local dialects are predominant, language barriers can hinder effective communication during educational activities (For more details: Education). As a result, we have decided to include Cantonese as the third language for our podcasts. Furthermore, in the future, BNUZH-China aims to expand our linguistic offerings to accommodate the diverse linguistic needs of residents in different regions. The Cantonese version of our podcast is currently being consistently updated.

2. Video

This year BNUZH-China embarked on a groundbreaking project that offered a fresh perspective on cancer treatment. Going beyond the realms of clinical interventions, our mission extended to providing solace to cancer patients, empowering them with unwavering courage and inner strength to combat the adversities they face.

To achieve this, our team embarked on a heartfelt endeavor. We reached out to individuals from various corners of the globe, representing diverse ethnicities and speaking different languages. We asked them to lend their voices and share words of encouragement directly from their hearts to those grappling with cancer. The resounding message we aim to convey is simple yet profound: "You are not alone." (For more details: Education)

The collection of these heartfelt messages serves as a beacon of collective support, forging a connection that transcends geographical boundaries and language barriers. It is our genuine belief that by uniting voices from all walks of life, we can provide cancer patients with a sense of hope, reminding them that they are part of a global community ready to stand by their side throughout their journey.