In his new book, Why Cicero Matters, Professor Bufacchi revisits Roman political philosophy to address modern threats to democracy. Alongside this, he highlights rising threats to academic freedom, insisting that defending open dialogue and free speech is crucial to resisting authoritarianism and preserving democratic values.

Praise Wenegieme, a second-year Business Information Systems student, recently concluded his role as IT, Website and Social Media Assistant with UCCRSA. We caught up with Praise to hear about his experience with the association and his academic career.

The UCCRSA is happy to share with you the UCC Research Funding Call Weekly Roundup brought to you by UCC Research. 

UCCRSA is proud to promote a new guide to open research called Navigating Open Research - A guide for early career researchers.  

This guide is designed to support early career researchers in navigating the principles and practices of open research, including open access publishing, data sharing, and responsible research metrics. It offers practical advice, useful resources, step by step checklist and insights into how open research can enhance visibility, collaboration, and impact.

The UCCRSA is happy to share with you that the Global Virus Network, in partnership with the University of South Florida, presents a webinar series featuring expert virologists from GVN Centers of Excellence. This session features Dr. Hongshuo Song is an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida. The research in her lab focuses on the fundamental aspects of HIV molecular virology, transmissibility, and immunopathogenesis. She will discuss "Escape by Shifting: Viral entry pathway alteration as an evolutionary mechanism of immune evasion." The webinar includes a 30-40 minute presentation followed by a 20-minute Q&A.

Link to the seminar: Webinar Registration - Zoom

Applications are now open for the GVN 2025 Short Course in Translational Virology, an intensive, hybrid training led by world-renowned virologists from GVN Centers of Excellence.

📍 December 3–12, 2025 | Tampa, FL & Online
🎓 For early-career MDs and PhDs (within 5 years post-graduation)
💡 Interactive sessions with top scientists and policy experts
🗓 Application deadline: In two weeks (September 1, 2025)
Spots are limited so submit your application today!

Learn More: Webinar Registration - Zoom

The UCCRSA is happy to share with you that the Global Virus Network, in partnership with the University of South Florida, presents a webinar series featuring expert virologists from GVN Centers of Excellence. This session features Nadia A. Sam-Agudu, a distinguished physician, researcher, and a leading voice in global pediatrics, infectious diseases, and implementation science, who will discuss "Viruses without Borders: Global Health Research in Pandemic Responses." The webinar includes a 30-40 minute presentation followed by a 20-minute Q&A.

Link to the seminar: Webinar Registration - Zoom

Gianna Avellis, Chair of the International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA) and founder of the Italian Research Staff Association (ITARSA), has dedicated her career to advancing gender equality, supporting researchers, and fostering collaboration at both national and international levels. In this interview, she shares her work in promoting diversity, gender equality, and innovation, as well as the impact of ICoRSA and ITARSA on global research communities.

The Global Virus Network, in partnership with the University of South Florida, presents a webinar series featuring expert virologists from GVN Centers of Excellence. his session features Dr. Yi‑Hao Chan, Principal Investigator at A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, who will discuss   “Genetics as a Compass for Life‑Threatening Viral Encephalitis.”

Link to the seminar: Webinar Registration - Zoom