Royal Society of Biology

Today we’re unveiling our new brand and strategy for 2025-2030! We look forward to the direction the new strategy will take the RSB in over the next five years, in addition to the rolling out of the new branding. President of the RSB, Professor Sir Ian Boyd FRSB, said: “We’re very excited to be launching our new strategy which will guide the RSB’s plans over the next half decade. The RSB has a vital role in promoting and supporting the biological sciences and we look forward to working to ensure that everybody benefits from an increasing understanding and appreciation of the biological world.” Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/ewkJx-_n

We were delighted to host Voice of the Future 2025 earlier this week! The event is an opportunity for early career researchers to ask Parliamentarians questions on current STEM issues, which this year included topics ranging from advances in bioengineering to the STEM workforce pipeline. Thank you to our panellists for giving their time and such insightful answers: Lord Vallance FRSB, Science Minister; Dr Ben Spencer MP, Shadow Science Minister; Emily Darlington MP, Dr Allison Gardner MP and Dr Lauren Sullivan MP from the House of Commons Science Technology and Innovations Select Committee; and the Viscount Stansgate FRSB and Lord (Paul) Drayson from the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee. Thank you as well to all who submitted questions: Anatomical Society; Applied Microbiology International; Association of Applied Biologists; Biochemical Society; Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School; The Genetics Society; The Geological Society ; London Mathematical Society; Royal Society of Chemistry; The Society of Chemical Industry and The Society for Radiological Protection. Read the full story on our website: https://lnkd.in/eeFS7Rrh #SciencePolicy #VOF2025

What is next for Biology in the Curriculum and Assessment Review in England? The RSB has contributed formally to the call for evidence in the recent curriculum reform and welcomes the latest ambitions for a refreshed national curriculum. Working as part of the Science Education Policy Alliance (SEPA), we will be convening a series of roundtables to further inform the Panel's next steps. Read our response: https://lnkd.in/eBVXYrjw

For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we spoke to Christina Elliott MRSB about her experience setting up NeuSnet, a neurodiversity support network, at Newcastle University. “Being neurodivergent in academia can feel isolating, but finding a supportive community makes all the difference. That’s why we started NeuSnet, a co-creation between neurodivergent staff, students and their allies. NeuSnet was designed to empower neurodivergent students by providing social, academic support, and mentorship by connecting with neurodivergent faculty. NeuSnet showcases the importance of creating safe spaces where students can unmask and connect with neurodivergent staff and peers to foster belonging, confidence, and success.” Read Christina’s top tips for supporting neurodivergent students below, and find out more in her article “Being Neurodivergent in Academia: How we stepped up to support others”: https://lnkd.in/ejt5gPPP #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiversityWeek

📢 We've reached the half-way point for this year's Science Teaching Survey. We'd really like more responses to ensure we can take meaningful findings from the data, and use it as a powerful tool for influencing government to make change. We're particularly looking for more responses from colleagues in Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland! If you work in education, we want to find out what’s most important to you. By taking the Science Teaching Survey, you’ll help to make sure that our policy work and support are grounded in the experiences of the people who know best – you. Take the survey: https://lnkd.in/gEqQJfTi Royal Society of Chemistry | Royal Society of Biology | Institute of Physics | The Association for Science Education | The Royal Society

Don't forget to join our Voice of the Future event later today - it's not too late to sign up. And good luck to everyone involved! https://lnkd.in/esK4gtha #VOF2025

Learn new practical skills and elevate your techniques with our upcoming laboratory-based courses! These include: Microscopy & Microbiology on 22 May at Brunel University ELISA on 23 May at Brunel University Aseptic Techniques and Cell Culture: The Basics on 3 and 10 June at the University of York Visit our training events webpage for full details and to book your place: https://lnkd.in/e_bp-aA5

Are you looking for #BritishScienceWeek activities? Our BioArtAttack 2D art competition for 7-18yrs is now open! Visit our website to find out more information about the competition including how to take part, and the prizes: https://lnkd.in/eNMxeQxT Many thanks to THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for their support.

This week, we were delighted to join the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to celebrate their 30th anniversary, and the launch of their new strategy. On Wednesday 12 March, we co-hosted a well-attended drinks reception which provided an opportunity for people from across the #biosciences to explore materials highlighting bioscience achievements delivered over the last 30 years. Our Chief Executive, Dr Mark Downs CBiol CSci FRSB, spoke at the reception, highlighting the work of the Royal Society of Biology, and introducing our new 2025-2027 strategy. Then today, Thursday 13 March, our President, Professor Sir Ian Boyd FRS FRSB, gave the keynote speech, talking about the future of bioscience, and how our work fits into the wider biosciences, national and geopolitical landscapes. 

Congratulations to the four bioscience winners of the annual STEM for BRITAIN competition for early career researchers! We’re particularly delighted that one of our members, Anneliese Hodge MRSB, won the Gold medal in the biosciences category!   The winners were: • Anneliese Hodge MRSB, from the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), who won the Gold Award • Magdalena Armas, from The Francis Crick Institute, who took the Silver prize • Harry Jarrett, from Heights, for winning both the Bronze medal and Nutrition Society Award • Jose Cabezas Caballero, from the University of Oxford, who won the Physiological Society Award   It was inspiring to see the breadth and standard of research covered in the biological and biomedical sciences from all the finalists and to hear engaging speeches from learned society leaders and the Viscount Stansgate. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eXXJeKRv