Dr Dom Cairns-Gibson was highly commended at the University’s Research Impact Prizes 2026 in the Impact Enabler category, for his work engaging young people with HIV learning. As the BioQuarter Education and Community Manager, Dom enables researchers based at the South Edinburgh biomedical complex to create impact from their research, specifically across the neighbouring communities of Craigmillar, Niddrie, Moredun and Gilmerton. Dom was recognised for his work with the research team on the ESRC-funded project ‘Viral memories, from HIV to Covid-19 and beyond’. The research identified that younger people lack relevant knowledge on HIV and may be influenced by biased or outdated perceptions of the illness.Viral memories: from HIV to Covid-19 and beyondThroughout the project, Dom worked to establish and sustain fruitful working relationships between the research team and local high schools to increase young people’s understanding of sexual health and in particular their awareness of HIV and its stigma.From the start, Dom was instrumental in identifying relevant stakeholders across the local schools, and in delivery ensured that the interactive workshop sessions included age-appropriate activities and materials to best reach the target audience of S5-S6 students (aged 16-18 years). A key finding from the research was the knowledge gap which exists in this age group. The workshops facilitated by Dom’s expertise and support have helped to begin closing the knowledge gap of HIV among these students. It has been amazing to work on the HIV and Stigma project with Jamie (Garcia Iglesias). Like many of our projects, it has grown organically and in response to the enthusiasm of our fantastic researchers and the needs of our community. As a gay man, I grew up terrified of HIV because of the stigma around it and the lack of education provided. It has been a privilege to be a small part of a bigger picture that shifts the narrative on HIV in Scotland for the next generation. Dr Dom Cairns-Gibson Bioquarter Education and Community Manager Beyond support for the project, Dom also worked with more junior researchers on the team to increase their understanding and confidence in delivery of Public Engagement, influencing future PIs to incorporate research engagement as standard in their work.Find out more about the many community engagement programmes undertaken at Edinburgh Bioquarter.Related linksCommunity engagement at Bioquarter Read the full list of 2026 Impact Prize winners [Sharepoint access only] This article was published on Friday 5 June 2026
