UK learned societies join forces

Three of the UK’s largest learned societies in biological and environmental sciences have taken a significant step towards integration, signing an agreement to work together in a number of areas, including the organisation of scientific meetings, education, policy and public engagement.

The Society for Experimental Biology, the Biochemical Society and the British Ecological Society have over 10,000 individual members between them.

Martin Humphries, Chairman of the Biochemical Society, said the old divisions between biological disciplines that defined these subjects in the early years of the last century have melted away. “Biologists need to work together to help and influence government and build an ever stronger base for UK science.”

Malcolm Press, President of the British Ecological Society, said some of the greatest challenges that face the world depend for solutions on interdisciplinary research. “Our closer cooperation can only expedite progress.”