Miraj Kobad Chowdhury explains the air-liquid culture (ALI) techniques he is practising in order to investigate exactly how respiratory viruses, such as the one responsible for COVID-19, infect human lung cells and define specific cell sensitivities to the infection.

Alpha Forna explains how inclusive research is making a difference in dealing with epidemics and pandemics, focusing on the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and more recently COVID-19.

Acha Anwi Therese, a nursing volunteer from Cameroon, demonstrates how health education plays an important role in the prevention of diseases through her healthcare delivery work to vulnerable populations and to those displaced by conflict.

Nanthini Arumugam, a Professor in the Department of Community Health Administration at the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), shares the challenges faced by nurses in India during COVID-19, and the efforts of teaching institutes in providing critical and responsive training to support healthcare professionals on the frontline, and to those currently studying.

Through the work of his organisation, OceansAsia, Teale Phelps Bondaroff shares findings on the impact of COVID-19 on marine plastic pollution, particularly the effect which disposable masks have had on this issue.

Margaret Atimango (2006 Distance Learning Scholar) and Gilbert Atuhe (a National Resilience Coordinator) discuss their work with Save the Children (a global children’s charity which aims to help every child reach their full potential) and explain how they are supporting communities and youth at risk of climate-led disasters in southwestern Uganda.

Marlene Attzs is a Lecturer in Economics at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Her research has a primary focus on sustainable economic development issues confronting Caribbean Island States. She is also a Civil Society Advisory Governor (CSAG) to the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth agency for civil society.