How to set up and run a Bad Bugs Bookclub group

  1. Joanna Verran

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Abstract

The Bad Bugs Bookclub is a public engagement initiative that enables scientists (microbiologists) and non-scientists to discuss the role of infectious disease and microorganisms in novels of fiction. The bookclub began in 2009, but since 2020, the meetings have taken place online, enabling international membership and occasional author participation. The bookclub has been shown, through peer-reviewed publications, to have impact and value to its members. For each book (the number now exceeds 100), a reading guide (questions to provoke discussion) and a meeting report (narrative of the discussion) were produced. Previously hosted on a website, the reading guides from this rich archive and resource are now presented alongside this paper, which provides tips on how to run a similar reading group.

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  1. Version published to 10.1099/acmi.0.000846.v3 on Access Microbiology
  2. Access Microbiology

    The comments from both reviewers were satisfactorily addressed. The work presented is clear and the arguments well formed. This study would be a valuable contribution to the existing literature. This is a study that would be of interest to the field and community.

  3. Version published to 10.1099/acmi.0.000846.v2 on Access Microbiology
  4. Access Microbiology

    The work presented is clear and the arguments well formed. This study would be a valuable contribution to the existing literature. This is a study that would be of interest to the field and community. The reviewers have highlighted minor concerns with the work presented. Please ensure that you address their comments.

  5. Access Microbiology

    Comments to Author

    Thank you for this manuscript. The resources provided alongside this article are extensive and a great resource. I'm very glad that the author has chosen to make these freely available to others wishing to start their own book clubs or incorporate these books as part of an existing book club. The fact that this book club has run for 15 years at the time of this publication highlights the success and appeal of the club. Minor comments Lines 48-49: I would be interested to know about where the majority of readers were based, their science background, the distance travelled and if the membership was relatively steady over the time period or if membership fluctuated with time. I appreciate this information may not be available, but if it is I think it would add useful information to the manuscript. Line 84: why was there a preference for zoon over teams (preference of delegates, accessibility, functionality, availability)? Line 98: how often do new members get in touch? Line 100: "Since" final sentence is started but not completed Ethical approval: remove sentence about quotes and no quotes appear to be present in the main text. Major comments The impact statement does not really address the impact of the club, but rather gives an overview of the club. This section should either be removed or requires modification to focus on tangible impacts. Within the introductory sections, it would be useful to have a link (and a brief in-text description) to a more general guide on "what is a book club" and/or "running a book club" guide for those who have not had the experience of a book club previously. The references provided to support the manuscript appear to be other papers describing the book club and its resources. It should be made clear to the reader what is unique about this manuscript compared to the previous publications and how this manuscript contributes to the existing body of data.

    Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour

    Satisfactory

    Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript

    Good

    To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?

    Strongly support

    Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?

    No

    Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?

    No

    If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?

    Yes

  6. Access Microbiology

    Comments to Author

    Overall, I think that this manuscript with its supplementary information would be very useful and would help readers of Access Microbiology to set up a Bad Bugs BookClub. The writing is clear and easy to follow. The few references cited are the author's own previous publications around the topic, perhaps it may be useful to add some background literature, but not necessary.

    Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour

    Very good

    Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript

    Very good

    To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?

    Strongly support

    Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?

    No

    Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?

    No

    If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?

    Yes

  7. Version published to 10.1099/acmi.0.000846.v1 on Access Microbiology