How evolution affects me

This public engagement project aims to use games increase public knowledge about basic evolutionary concepts in order to increase understanding of and attitudes towards existential threats to humanity such as antibiotic resistance, food security and the emergence of new diseases. We aim to develop and exhibit these games at science festivals in the UK in 2023-2024 and use the experience and feedback from participants to create in-person teaching tools and digital games (in collaboration with software engineering researchers and students at the University of Stirling) that can be modified to teach children and adults about evolution by other researchers, public engagement practitioners and educators. We also aim to assess the effectiveness of our games by using a questionnaire that assesses support for hypothetical policies pertaining to (i) antimicrobial prescription for the public, (ii) preventative use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture (ii) pesticide use in cropping systems before and after participating. We will also take feedback from participants at all events so that we can improve on the games to enhance engagement and understanding.