Kenneth Bitrus David - What Organising two Scientific Conferences taught me about Leadership, Community, and Opportunity 

 

By Kenneth Bitrus David (Kaduna State University, Nigeria)

Kenneth Bitrus David is an educator and researcher with a strong interest in pharmacology education and evidence-based teaching practices. He holds an MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development from Hull York Medical School, University of York, United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Kaduna State University, Nigeria, where he currently teaches pharmacology.

Kenneth is passionate about creating compassionate and engaging learning environments that promote critical thinking and student participation. His teaching approach incorporates active learning strategies such as Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT), Individual Readiness Assurance Tests (iRATs), Team-Based Learning (TBL), and Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Through these methods, he seeks to make pharmacological concepts more relatable and to encourage deeper understanding among students.

Beyond the classroom, Kenneth contributes to educational development and mentorship through the Pharmafluence Education Advancement Network (PEAN), an organization dedicated to improving access to quality science education and supporting the growth of the next generation of researchers and educators.

What Organising two Scientific Conferences taught me about Leadership, Community, and Opportunity 

When I organised my first scientific conference, I wasn’t trying to become a conference organiser. I was trying to solve a problem I could no longer ignore.

Over time, I kept meeting brilliant early-career scientists with strong ideas, interesting research questions, and a genuine passion for pharmacology and drug discovery. But they had limited opportunities to share their work or connect with others beyond their institutions.

I remember a conversation with a young researcher who had spent months working on a project related to drug repurposing. They quietly told me, ‘I’ve never presented my work before.’

Not because the work lacked quality, not because they lacked confidence, but because they simply felt like conferences are for top researchers. That stayed with me.

 

Another student once told me they wanted to collaborate internationally but didn’t know where to begin, as they had no professional network outside their university. Again, it wasn’t a lack of ambition; it was a lack of access. These conversations helped me realise something important: sometimes, talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.

That was part of the motivation behind organising the Early Career Life Scientists (ECLS) Symposium in 2025, which was jointly sponsored by the British Pharmacological Society, Biochemical Society, and The Physiological Society. Later, I also helped organise the AI-Driven Drug Repurposing (AIDR) Conference held at Kaduna State University in March 2026, for which travel grants and awards were supported by the British Pharmacological Society.

What started as an idea gradually became something much bigger than I imagined.

AIDR2026 brought together over 100 participants from across Nigeria and countries including the United Kingdom, United States, India, Mexico, and Spain. Researchers, students, academics, and professionals came together to discuss artificial intelligence, drug discovery, research visibility, mentorship, and collaboration. But beyond the programme itself, the experience taught me lessons that extended far beyond science.

One of the first things I learned was that meaningful conferences require intentionality. At first glance, organising a conference may seem straightforward: choose a theme, invite speakers, book a venue. In reality, every decision shapes whether people truly benefit from the experience.

For AIDR2026, we knew the audience would be diverse. Some participants were completely new to AI-driven drug discovery, while others already had experience in computational methods and pharmaceutical research. That meant we had to think carefully about balance. If every session was highly technical, some attendees would feel disconnected. If everything was introductory, more experienced researchers might leave uninspired. So we intentionally designed sessions to meet people at different levels. One of the most rewarding examples was the hands-on workshop on in-silico drug repurposing and molecular docking. For many participants, it was their first practical exposure to computational drug discovery tools. You could see curiosity turning into excitement as participants began interacting with methods they had previously only read about.

Speaker selection also became something I thought deeply about. I learned that expertise alone is not enough. The best speakers are those who can make people feel included in the conversation, and who can simplify complexity without oversimplifying the science.

Even setting the conference dates required careful thought. We had to consider examination periods, participant availability, travel realities, and time zones for international speakers.These may seem like small details, but they shape whether people are actually able to participate meaningfully.

Then there was the part people rarely see: the work happening behind the scenes. From the outside, conferences often look smooth and effortless, however, for the organising team, they are often anything but. There were moments where speakers had to be coordinated across different countries and time zones. Hybrid participation created additional logistical challenges. Abstract reviews, registration management, programme scheduling, technical coordination, and last-minute adjustments became part of everyday planning. Sometimes, unexpected problems appeared very close to the event itself, but those moments taught me some of the most valuable lessons of all.

I learned how to:

Remain calm under pressure
Adapt quickly
Communicate clearly during uncertainty
Manage people, timelines, and expectations simultaneously

Without realising it at first, I was developing skills in leadership, project management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and crisis management.

But perhaps the most meaningful moments came from the participants themselves.

I remember watching young researchers present their work during poster and oral presentation sessions. Some were presenting publicly for the first time. You could sense the nervousness initially but also the gradual confidence that emerged as discussions unfolded and questions were asked. One participant later shared that the conference helped them identify potential collaborators and new research directions. Moments like that remind you why these platforms matter because sometimes, one opportunity can shift someone’s entire trajectory.

At the same time, the experience also highlighted areas where we still need to do better as a scientific community. For example, some participants with caregiving responsibilities experienced difficulties fully engaging with the conference because childcare support was unavailable. That was an important learning moment for me. Inclusion is not simply about inviting people into a space. It is about creating systems that enable them to participate fully and comfortably. This is something I hope to improve in future editions.

 

Another lesson that became very clear is that meaningful initiatives are never built alone. Mentees volunteered their time and energy, helping with registrations, coordination, participant support, and logistics. Colleagues provided guidance, encouragement, and collaboration throughout the process. The support from Kaduna State University was invaluable I still remember the reassurance I consistently received from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, whenever I approached him with ideas or requests:

“Kenneth, just ask, and we will support you.”

Those words mattered more than he may realise, because institutional support creates confidence. It allows people to think beyond limitations and pursue ideas more boldly.

Looking back now, I realise these conferences were never just about organising events. They were about creating spaces where people could learn, connect, ask questions, share ideas, and imagine possibilities beyond their immediate environment. They were about: visibility, mentorship, collaboration,  community.

Most importantly, they reminded me that you do not need perfect conditions before you begin. If you see a gap and you have the ability to contribute (even in a small way), start where you are. Because sometimes, the opportunities we are waiting for only begin to exist when someone decides to create them.


Public engagement opportunities

If you’re passionate about sharing your science with public audiences, volunteering at an event, creating your own event, or becoming a BPS ambassador could be for you. 
 

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