Harvey’s Lab Tours at IBMS Congress
IBMS Congress is one of the biggest gatherings in the biomedical science calendar, bringing together professionals, educators, and industry partners from across the country. Over several days, delegates get to see the latest developments in laboratory medicine, take part in expert-led sessions, and connect with colleagues.
It was also the ideal platform for Harvey’s Lab Tours to reach the wider biomedical science community and share its work with young patients and families.
Harvey Bear makes his Congress debut
Congress 2025 marked a very important first for Harvey’s Lab Tours: the debut of our mascot, Harvey Bear. Dressed in his very own lab coat, he joined the event ready to meet delegates.
Harvey Bear made a big impression as he travelled across the exhibition floor. He visited the IBMS Learning Lab van, posed for selfies with teams like North West London Pathology, UK NEQAS, and Phillips, and spent the day spreading the word about the programme.
Harvey Bear at Congress
Harvey Bear with Senior Biomedical Scientist, Gayle Johnstone
Harvey Bear testing out lab equipment with Phillips
Harvey Bear with the Step Exhibitions team
While playful, Harvey Bear’s presence had a serious purpose: encouraging people to stop, chat, and learn more about Harvey’s Lab Tours.
To make things interesting, we set a challenge for attendees:
The response was wonderful, with photos of Harvey Bear and delegates quickly circulated on social media, The photos and conversations he sparked gave the initiative strong visibility throughout Congress.
Spotlight on the IBMS Learning Lab
A highlight of Congress was the IBMS Learning Lab van, a mobile hub designed to help inspire the next generation of scientists.
The Learning Lab is packed with interactive resources and hands-on activities that showcase the vital role of biomedical science in healthcare. It can travel anywhere in the UK, supporting members who want to bring biomedical science to life in their communities.
The Learning Lab could help support a hospital open day, host a special event for children and families who have taken part in Harvey’s Lab Tours, or provide an engaging base for a careers talk at schools or youth groups. Wherever it goes, the Learning Lab provides a hands-on way to highlight the impact of biomedical science.
Specialist biomedical scientist Gayle Johnstone from Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, and winner of this year’s Harvey’s Lab Tour of the Year, shared her thoughts:
It was amazing to see the Learning Lab at Congress. Having a mobile hub like this means we can take biomedical science directly to communities, schools, and families, and it will have such a positive impact on our young people and scientists of the future. Combined with Harvey’s Lab Tours, it’s another fantastic way to show the public just how vital our work is.
The conversations and connections made at IBMS Congress 2025 will help us grow Harvey’s Lab Tours even further. With Harvey Bear now officially part of the team and the Learning Lab ready to travel across the UK, we’re looking forward to more opportunities to engage the next generation and highlight the vital role of biomedical science in healthcare.
