Impact of a large-scale interactive and immersive science pop-up shop about infection and hygiene on visitors and volunteers

Tyrrell, Jonathan M., Abdulgafar, Abdulsalam, Sadeghzadeh Rahimi, Pouya, Sparling, Georgina B., Cox, Friday K. A., Maros, Lila-Blythe, Lewis, Jeff, Stanton, Naomi, Hatch, Sarah, Smith, Carl, Cuff, Simone M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0546-3579, Aicheler, Rebecca J. and Eberl, Matthias ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9390-5348 2026. Impact of a large-scale interactive and immersive science pop-up shop about infection and hygiene on visitors and volunteers. Frontiers in Public Health 14 , 1812530. 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1812530

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Abstract

Infectious diseases pose persistent and evolving challenges to global health, exacerbated by rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and vaccine hesitancy. The global public response to the COVID-19 pandemic underscored that scientific knowledge alone cannot drive behavioural change without trust, dialogue and meaningful social participation. Effective science communication and public engagement therefore require interactive, community-centred approaches that address social and cultural barriers and foster shared understanding and collective responsibility. This study describes the development and evaluation of a free large-scale pop-up shop designed to improve public health literacy. Located in one of the UK’s busiest shopping centres, the event was co-created and co-delivered by staff and students across four universities and combined playful, sensory, immersive learning with robust science through hands-on activities, exhibitions and live presentations. Incentives such as a sticker-based reward system and a treasure hunt encouraged sustained engagement. Over a 28-day period, 4,955 people attended, including organised school groups. Mixed-methods evaluation revealed positive shifts in public knowledge and attitudes, alongside an increased appreciation of the value of public engagement among those delivering the event. Embedding science within a public space proved effective in engaging diverse audiences, stimulating conversations around health and disease, and breaking down perceived barriers between scientists and the public.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
ISSN:	2296-2565
Funders:	AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC
Projects:	AH/X003566/1, BB/X511043/1, EP/X525522/1
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 April 2026
Date of Acceptance:	30 March 2026
Last Modified:	11 Aug 2026 13:55
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/186607

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