The two leading UK biology organisations – the Institute of Biology (IoB) and the Biosciences Federation (BSF) – have united to form the Society of Biology.

Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel laureate and President of the Rockefeller University, said: “The establishment of the Society of Biology is a significant event for UK biosciences. The field of biology encompasses a wide diversity of disciplines. The creation of a single organisation will enable stronger, more effective representation, and will serve all with an interest in the future of the biosciences.”

The creation of a single organisation to represent the biological sciences is fully supported by members of both the IoB and BSF, who voted overwhelmingly in favour of the move at Annual General Meetings held in early 2009. The Society’s diverse membership includes students, practising scientists and interested non-professionals - as individuals, or through learned societies and other organisations.

Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell, President, said, “It is wonderful that the Society of Biology has been established in the year that we are celebrating Charles Darwin and all that he achieved and changed. The Society will be fully inclusive and aims to engage with all, including the most prestigious academics, school teachers, policy makers, funders and the committed (and often expert) non-professional biologists.”

The Society has announced that its first Chief Executive, Dr Mark Downs, has been appointed and will be in post from 1 November 2009. Dr Mark Downs is currently the Director of Science and Enterprise at RNID, and has significant experience in science policy in the government, private and academic sectors. For information about the Society of Biology, click on the link below.

Society of Biology