Superheroes against Superbugs

Superheroes against Superbugs (SaS) initiative aims to raise awareness on the issue of antibiotic resistance (ABR) and promote community dialogue and action by engaging with young children in India. Launched in 2018, SaS pilot program partnered with school children through innovative science education and public engagement approaches. This unique program is built around the premise that young minds are capable of influencing behaviors around them and bringing about transformative change when equipped with the right tools and knowledge. The SaS program also emphasises the need for the general public to become ‘superheroes’ as much as we need our scientists and governments to fight this century’s biggest health threat.  

Program Leads: Dr Ponnari Gottipati – Research Management, Science Education and Engagement Consultant, currently at LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India

 Dr Sarah Iqbal, Lead, Communications and Public Engagement, Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, Hyderabad and New Delhi, India

 Workshop Facilitators: Dr Somdatta Karak, Science Communication and Public Outreach, Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India  

Mr Sharad Sharma, Founder, World Comics India, New Delhi - Collaborator for Grass Roots Comics 

Evaluation: Dr Madhuri Dutta, The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi – Collaborator, Project Evaluation

The pilot program was funded by the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance (India Alliance) and implemented in collaboration with the India Alliance and the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad (scientific partner), World Comics India (engagement partner) and George Institute for Global Health India (evaluation partner).

Participating Schools: Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society school for girls, Gowlidoddy, Hyderabad, India (a government sponsored residential school for girls from lower socio-economic backgrounds)

 The Global Edge School, Madhapur Campus, Hyderabad, India (a private co-educational school comprising mostly of children from middle/higher income households).