Society of Biology Annual Report October 2012 - September 2013 Society of Biology Annual Report 2012-13 Society of Biology Annual Report 2012-13 Our vision and mission Contents Our vision is of a world that understands the true value of biology and how it can contribute to improving life for all. Welcome from the President 4 Our mission is to be the unifying voice of biology, to facilitate the promotion of Welcome from the Chief Executive 4 new discoveries in biological science for national and international benefit, and to engage the wider public with our work. Council and committees 5 Partnerships 6 Membership 8 Our values Competitions and awards 9 Vocal Events and public engagement 10 We act as the voice for biology Publications 11 Inclusive Science policy 12 We support diversity and equality in the life sciences for all UK Plant Science Federation 14 Uniting Natural Capital Initiative 15 We bring together individuals and organisations to achieve our vision Policy Lates 16 Leading Animal Science Group 17 We lead the field in our areas of work with a proactive and Education 18 honest approach UK Biology Competitions 19 Evolving Heads of University Biosciences 20 We respond and develop our resources to meet the evolving needs of the sector Degree accreditation 21 Advancing Training and registers 22 We advance biology interest, education, professional Next steps 23 development, and policy through our dedicated staff and volunteers Finances 24 Inspiring Member Organisations 26 We aim to inspire our members and the public in the wonders Branches 28 of biology through our communcation and engagement Contacts 31 Society of Biology Annual Report 2012-13 Society of Biology Annual Report 2012-13 Welcome from the President Council and committees This is my fourth and final year as President of the Society of Biology, and the change in The Society of Biology Council act as the Trustees of the Society and consist of three all aspects of the Society’s work has been astounding. We have achieved our primary Honorary Officers: President, Secretary and Treasurer. Four members are elected aim of becoming the ‘voice of the life sciences’ and our policy and education activities from the College of Individual Members and four are elected from the College of have gone from strength to strength. Our members, both individuals and organisations, Organisational Members. Another four members are then appointed by Council to have been central to this success. ensure coverage of the breadth of the life sciences based on skills gap amongst Council. Membership services to support individual development continue to grow, especially throught the Professional Registers we operate, but we have also focused on our wider The Education, Training and Policy Committee (ETP) is chaired by Dr Jeremy Pritchard charitable objectives through more national and regional public engagement and citizen and a principal committee of the Society of Biology, reporting directly to Council. ETP science projects. Your help has allowed us to provide placements for undergraduate develop the Society’s strategies, policies and priorities across public policy, education, students to gain practical skills, offer free places in biology competitions to school Professor Dame Nancy training and professional development. children, and reach over 10,000 members of the public. While through the expertise and Rothwell, The Membership, Marketing and Communication Committee (MMC) is the other partnership of Member Organisations, we have proactively contributed to a huge range President of the Society principal committee of the Society and is chaired by Mrs Sue Thorn. of policy developments in the UK. of Biology Working groups, committees and staff carry out the day-to-day activities of the Society As membership grows, so does our support for members, and this year with the and report to the relevant Principal Committee or Council. addition of staff for regional and training activities, the Society has taken another step forward. I have truly enjoyed my time as President of the Society and witnessing first- The Degree Accreditation Committee is chaired by Dr Liz Lakin. Previously the hand the expansion and growth of the organisation. I would like to especially thank all Accreditation Working Group; this committee develops and oversees accreditation on our volunteers who have helped to support the Society in branches, special interest behalf of Council. groups, working parties and at events in helping realising our vision. The Research Dissemination Committee is chaired by Mrs Sue Thorn. The committee champions sustainable and equitable practices in the circulation and curation of Welcome from the Chief Executive research outputs. Dr David Slingsby is Editor of the Journal of Biological Education and Ms Sue Nelson is The Society of Biology has grown significantly during the 2012-13 financial year, Editor of The Biologist. underpinned by significant external funding and increased partnerships across the Professor Chris Kirk, biological sector. Honorary Secretary Membership has grown to 13,600 and we have welcomed new Member Organistions. Dr Pat Goodwin, The introduction of a substantial new training programme, heavily subsidised for Honorary Treasurer individual members and Member Organisations, has already started to prove popular, bringing very tangible benefits; while accreditation of bioscience degrees has been the largest single activity of the year. College of Individual Members: Mr Tim Our work with sister organisations has continued to play an important role in ensuring Dr Mark Downs, we are able to effectively represent the whole of science, leading for the community Brigstocke (Chair), Dr Liz in many instances, especially though pan-science events within Westminster. Given CEO of the Society of Lakin, Professor Richard expansion and growing interest in joining the Charles Darwin House bioscience hub, we Biology Reece, Dr Kim Hardie were delighted to be a partner in the co-purchase of another property, 107 Gray’s Inn Road. Both premises will be operated jointly, offering external bodies more conference College of Organisational space opportunities and creating greater flexibilty for staff across the co-owning Members: Professor societies. John Coggins (Chair), The Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the UK Commission for Professor Chris Employability and Skills for work on degree accreditation; the Welsh Government for Garland, Professor Julia work on Biology Competitions; the Gatsby Charitable Foundation for work on the Buckingham, Professor Technician’s Register and the UK Plant Sciences Federation (UKPSF); the Society for David Blackbourne Experimental Biology for UKPSF support; the Biotechnology and Biological Science Council appointed: Research Council (BBSRC) across several areas of the Society’s work; and grants from Professor Pete Downes, other Member Organisations and collaborators supporting a wide range of project Professor Rosie Hails, Dr activity, including the work of the Director of Parliamentary Affairs. Paul Brooker, Dr Aileen Allsopp 4 5 Society of Biology Annual Report 2012-13 Society of Biology Annual Report 2012-13 Partnerships Science Media Centre The Science Media Centre (SMC) is an independent press office providing journalists with scientific evidence and expertise, including interviews with leading experts to Acting as one voice for the biosciences, the Society of Biology has key partnerships timely press briefings on topical issues. The Society of Biology makes a modest annual with several sister organisations outside of our wide Member Organisation base, donation towards the running costs of the SMC, which also acts as an observer supporting their pan-science work. member of the Animal Science Group. Science Council Sense About Science The Science Council is a membership organisation that brings together learned Sense About Science works in partnership with scientific bodies, research publishers, societies and professional bodies across science and its applications. The Science policy makers, the public and the media to change discussions about science and Council provides a single point of contact for those wishing to contact or work with the evidence. Its Voice of Young Science network engages hundreds of early career science community. researchers in public debates about research and evidence. Campaign for Science and Engineering The Society of Biology frequently provides support and event partnership for early career researcher events and is a co-funder (with a number of other organisations) of a The Campaign for Science & Engineering (CaSE) is the leading independent advocate project exploring communication around GM issues in plant science. for science and engineering in the UK. We are supporting members of CaSE and work collaboratively with them on specific projects of joint interest. Athena Forum British Science Association The Athena Forum was set up in 2008 as a successor organisation to the Athena Project which ran from 1999 to 2007. Its mission is to provide a strategic oversight of The British Science Association (BSA, formerly known as the BA) works to connect developments that seek to, or have proven to, advance the career progression and science with people. It organises the annual British Science Festival, National Science representation of women in science, technology, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) & Engineering Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive in UK higher education. Its members are