Joanna Verran FRSB is an Emeritus Professor of Microbiology and Head of Science Communication at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
[6] Verran was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2011 and is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
[12][13][14][15] In 2009 Verran launched the Bad Bugs Book Club which looks to engage people with microbiology and infectious diseases.
[18] The book club was a case study in Science Communication: A Practical Guide for Scientists.
[19] Verran has used zombies and vampires that can act as models of infectious diseases, and demonstrated the exhibit at Cheltenham Science Festival.
[4][21] She launched the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) science communication Master's program in 2016.