ANISE Mini-School of Respiratory Viruses 

Strengthening Respiratory Virus Expertise in Africa: ISRV and ANISE Partner for 2026 Mini-School 

On 23 September 2026, the International Society for Respiratory Viruses (ISRV), in partnership with the African Network for Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE), will deliver a dedicated one day Mini-School focused on respiratory viruses. The Mini-School will be delivered as a satellite event the day before the ANISE 2026 meeting, providing participants with a strong foundation to fully engage with the wider scientific program. The Mini-School will be held in Senegal, ahead of the 8th ANISE Meeting (24–25 September), one of Africa’s leading scientific gatherings in the field of respiratory viruses.

Mini-Schools are a core part of ISRV’s approach to supporting early-career researchers (ECRs). Designed as intensive, accessible learning experiences - often aligned with major scientific meetings - they provide participants with targeted knowledge, practical skills, and valuable networking opportunities. Crucially, they help bridge the gap between foundational training and active participation in the global scientific community. 

Hosting a Mini-School in Africa is both timely and essential. The continent is home to a rapidly growing community of researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals working at the forefront of infectious disease surveillance and response. At the same time, many face structural barriers to accessing international training opportunities, including funding constraints, visa challenges, and limited access to global networks. By delivering a Mini-School within the region, ISRV and ANISE aim to remove many of these barriers - bringing high-quality, internationally connected education directly to those who can benefit most. This approach not only supports individual career development but also contributes to strengthening local and regional systems for respiratory virus research, surveillance, and response. 

The Mini-School program will offer a structured, full-day learning experience that combines scientific depth with practical insight. These sessions are designed to provide participants with a broad, comparative understanding of major respiratory viruses and their global and regional significance. Importantly, the program also includes a dedicated session focused on translating scientific ideas into real-world impact - supporting ECRs to think about how their research can progress from concept to implementation. With a target cohort of about 50 early- to mid-career scientists, including doctoral researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and emerging principal investigators, the Mini-School is designed to foster meaningful interaction with expert faculty and peers. 

The timing of the Mini-School, immediately ahead of the ANISE meeting ensures participants are well prepared to engage with the latest research, discussions, and collaborations taking place during the main conference. It also provides extended opportunities for networking with senior scientists and faculty who will contribute to both the Mini-School and the conference, supporting ANISE’s mission to nurture the next generation of respiratory virus experts in Africa. This combination of structured learning and extended engagement ensures that participants not only gain knowledge but also build lasting professional networks. 

As plans for the Mini-School continue to develop, ISRV looks forward to welcoming a diverse cohort of participants and to contributing, alongside ANISE, to the continued strengthening of respiratory virus expertise across Africa. A full residential school is planned for 2027.