News archive
Plaque celebrating Dolly the sheep unveiled in Edinburgh
A plaque celebrating Dolly the sheep, and the team who created her, was unveiled by the Society of Biology today at The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh.
Record number of schools take part in British Biology Olympiad
A record 6,189 students from 582 schools took part in the British Biology Olympiad (BBO) this year, compared to 5,057 students from 492 schools in 2014.
Sir David Attenborough: The earth is in biological turmoil
Sir David Attenborough Hon FSB has spoken to the Society of Biology about the current ‘huge ecological and biological turmoil faced by the Earth’.
Plaque celebrating Marjory Stephenson unveiled in Cambridge
On Sunday 22nd February a plaque celebrating Marjory Stephenson, legendary biochemist and microbiologist, was unveiled at Mitchams Agricultural Machinery Ltd, Cambridge.
Society of Biology member reaches final of global teacher competition
Dr Richard Spencer CBiol MSB, is one of ten finalists in a global competition to find the world's best teacher.
HE Bioscience Teacher of the Year Shortlist Announced
The Society of Biology is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2015 Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award.
Professional body for teachers receives support
The Society of Biology as a member of SCORE (Science Community Representing Education) has responded positively to a proposal to create a new independent professional body for teachers.
Survey reveals vulnerable skills in the biosciences
Several skills and capabilities in the biosciences were highlighted as vulnerable in a report released yesterday by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC).
Creationism in Scotland’s schools: petition makes progress
This week the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee (PPC) advised the Education and Culture committee to consider the Scottish Secular Society’s petition on the teaching of creationism in Scottish schools. This follows the Society of Biology's letter to the PPC in support of the proposal to offer Scottish schools guidance on the teaching of evolution and creationism in the science curriculum.
Society supports vote to introduce mitochondrial DNA transfer
MPs have voted in favour of mitochondrial DNA transfer, an IVF technique that prevents deadly genetic diseases being passed from mother to child. The Society of Biology supports the introduction of regulations which will facilitate treatment while carefully monitoring outcomes.
School Biology Teacher of the Year Shortlist Announced
The Society of Biology is pleased to announce the three teachers shortlisted for the 2015 School Biology Teacher of the Year Award. The award seeks to identify and to recognise the very best and most inspiring biology teachers in 11-18 education in the UK.
Natural Capital Initiative urges Government act now to reverse decline in natural capital
The Natural Capital Initiative, welcomes the NCC report, which emphasises the need for collaborative working in order to reverse the decline of natural capital, but reiterates that bold action from Government is urgently needed.
New survey for bioscience researchers
Changes to academic publishing policy and the renewed focus on the impact of research is changing the way biologists disseminate their research findings.
EU gives governments more flexibility on GM crops
The EU has given member states the option to ban cultivation of GMOs that have been recommended as safe to grow by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Fellows of the Society of Biology in New Year Honours List
Congratulations to Fellows of the Society of Biology who have been appointed OBE in the New Year Honours List.
Can we afford to lose what Kew has to offer?
On Wednesday 17th December the Science and Technology Committee held an evidence session addressing announcements made by The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew earlier this year regarding its £5m “budget gap”. Kew is currently going through a staff restructure, which will result in an estimated loss of 100 jobs.
Four out of five house spiders are males looking for love
82% of spiders spotted in the Society of Biology’s national house spider survey were males on the search for love.
Further commitment needed in Science and Innovation Strategy
Yesterday, the Government announced their Science and Innovation Strategy.
This document sets out the Government’s long term strategy to make the UK the best place in the world for science and business.
Society welcomes report on economic impact of antimicrobial resistance
A continued rise in antimicrobial resistance could lead to the deaths of 10 million people every year and a significant reduction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050, costing the world up to 100 trillion USD, according to the first report by the UK prime minister appointed O’Neill commission, released today.
Life Sciences Minister on personalised medicine mission
George Freeman MP has said his “mission” is to reform the biomedical sector so that it is focused around personalised medicine.
Starling survey reveals new murmuration hot spots
The Society of Biology and the University of Gloucestershire have teamed up to find out more about starling murmurations, in particular, why this behaviour occurs. The Starling Murmuration Survey launched on 17th October and has already received records of 1,200 sightings around the UK.
New register to recognise excellent biology teachers
The Society of Biology is now able to offer members or Fellows who teach sciences in the UK the opportunity to obtain chartered science teacher status (CSciTeach) under licence from the Science Council.
Scientists concerned that culture of research can hinder scientific endeavour
Aspects of the culture of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) can encourage poor research practices and hinder the production of high quality science, according to scientists who took part in a project exploring the ethical consequences of the culture of research led by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.
Response to Autumn Statement: science can deliver economic growth
The Society of Biology welcomes Chancellor George Osborne’s support for science in his Autumn Statement, but highlights the need for continued recognition that science can deliver enhanced growth to the economy.
A level reforms devalue important practical skills says science education community
SCORE has responded to a video letter, sent by chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee Andrew Miller MP, to the Minister for School Reform, Nick Gibb MP, asking him to rethink changes to the assessment of practical work in the sciences at A level.