Through outreach and educational activities, we share our research to improve understanding of genetics and congenital hyperinsulinism, while inspiring and supporting the next generation of scientists. Below is a snapshot of some of the initiatives we have been involved in.

Engaging and Inspiring Young Scientists

We support and inspire secondary school and college students by actively engaging with them at key stages of their education. Our team attends careers events such as the Big Bang Fair, hosts work-experience students from schools and colleges across the UK, and visits schools to talk about science as a career and the pathways into research and healthcare.

Within the group, Tom Laver is the Academic Lead for the Devon Healthcare Hub, a University of Exeter Medical School outreach programme that supports disadvantaged pupils in Devon to achieve the grades needed for university, while Sarah Flanagan has served for many years as a mentor on the In2Science UK programme, encouraging and supporting disadvantaged students to pursue science.

Current Opportunities

Unmasking the Genome is a four-day advanced workshop designed for researchers working at the leading edge of genomic science

This programme brings together expertise from Google DeepMind, leaders in statistical and population genomics, the University of Exeter, and the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative to offer a cohesive view of modern genome interpretation – from large-scale sequencing analysis through to functional validation.

The integration of AI-based variant interpretation, population-scale genetics, and experimental follow-up in a single, immersive course is rare. The workshop is structured to provide depth, interaction, and sustained discussion rather than broad survey coverage. As part of this four day course, the Exeter Centre for Hyperinsulinism Genetics team will be running workshops on rare disease: pathogenicity, penetrance, expressivity, and discovery strategies

Details of event

•  September 1, 2026 – September 4, 2026

•  12:00 – 18:00

•  Peter Chalk Centre, The University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD

Who this workshop is for?

• Postdoctoral researchers

• Senior PhD candidates

• Clinical scientists and computational geneticists

• Early-career principal investigators

Sharing Our Science with the Public

We are committed to engaging the wider public with our research and the science behind it. Tom Laver has taken part in public-facing events such as Pint of Science, and we actively communicate our research through media contributions, podcasts and through social media platforms including X, Linkedin and Instagram.

By sharing our science beyond the laboratory, we aim to increase public understanding of genetics and congenital hyperinsulinism, and to highlight the value of biomedical research in everyday life.