News archive
Support for all students
Earlier this year, the Government announced that the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) will be ‘modernised’ to target the limited public funding available to those most in need. This effectively means a cut, where DSAs will only be available ‘for higher specification or higher cost computers where a student needs one solely by virtue of their disability’.
Two weeks left to enter the Animals in Research Student Essay competition
The Society of Biology has launched its 2014 competition to support student members who wish to develop careers in animal science and technology. Undergraduate student members (and those who have applied for membership) can enter the competition for a chance to win a Home Office Modular training 1 – 3 course paid for by the Society of Biology.
Who changed the world with biology?
The results of the Society of Biology’s top 10 poll of people who have changed the world with biology have been announced. The public poll was part of the ‘Biology: Changing the World’ project and the shortlist was collated from public nominations and other famous faces of biology.
Society of Biology attends Cheltenham Science Festival
Today the Society of Biology will be at the opening of the Cheltenham Science Festival, manning a stand with hands on activities related to 'mini-beasts'.
Society of Biology response published in the Guardian
The Society of Biology’s response to the question of whether organic farming and GM crops can co-exist has been published in the Guardian.
Society officially welcomes new president
At the Annual General Meeting today the Society of Biology officially welcomed the incoming president, Professor Dame Jean Thomas, and said farewell and thank you to Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, the first president of the Society of Biology.
Society launches Nancy Rothwell Award
The Society of Biology is proud to announce the launch of the Nancy Rothwell Award, a competition aiming to celebrate specimen drawing in schools and highlight the benefits of links between science and art.
Concordat on openness on animal research
The Society of Biology is one of over 70 bioscience organisations which signed the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK. The Concordat commits its signatories to enhance their communication about their use of animals.
Three female presidents: Work together to help women “reach the top in science”
For the first time, three female presidents lead the Society of Biology, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics. On 13th May 2014 this will be celebrated by the presidents coming together at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester.
Society website recognised at awards
Yesterday the Society of Biology website was recognised at the MemCom Awards 2014 gaining a Highly Commended prize.
Journal of Biological Education appoints new editor
The Society's biological education journal has appointed a new editor. Ian Kinchin FSB, head of the Department of Higher Education at the University of Surrey, will take over as editor of the Journal of Biological Education officially from today.
Joint statement on the UK pharmaceutical industry
Four learned societies today issued a joint statement regarding the UK pharmaceutical industry.
New report on the public investment in science
The Campaign for Science and Engineering, with support from the Society of Biology and other organisations, has commissioned an investigation into the economic significance of public investment in science.
Biology Challenge reaches record numbers
A record 32,500 school students have taken part in the Society of Biology’s 2014 Biology Challenge competition, collectively answering over four million questions.
Winners of British Biology Olympiad 2014 announced
The Society of Biology and the volunteers of UKBC are pleased to announce the four students selected to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad in Bali in July.
Vote for biologists who have changed the world
The Society’s Heritage Lottery Fund supported project focusing on the heritage of biology has launched a poll to find the top 10 biologists who have changed the world.
Society Fellows among new BBSRC Council members
Five new members have been appointed to the Council of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) by the Minister for Universities and Science Rt Hon David Willetts. Of these five, three are Fellows of the Society of Biology.
Kingston lecturer wins 2014 HE Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award
Dr Nick Freestone from Kingston University was announced last week as the Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year at an awards ceremony on the 8th April held at the 2014 Heads of University Biosciences (HUBS) Spring Meeting, Chicheley Hall, Buckinghamshire.
International STEM students report launched
The Society of Biology welcomes the House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee's report on international STEM students.
Dangers in A level sciences grading reform highlighted
As Ofqual announces the separation of marks for practical science from core A level grades, a leading partnership of scientific societies including the Society of Biology, SCORE, has expressed its disappointment and concern.
British Biology Olympiad 2014 round 2 results announced
In January, a record 5,057 students took part in the first round of the British Biology Olympiad.
Policy Lates: The Precautionary Principle
The Society of Biology held the latest in its Policy Lates series on 1st April. The topic of discussion was the precautionary principle, the issues surrounding it, and how it may best be changed for future use.
Letter and workshop to highlight the importance of higher education teaching
On 28th March the Society hosted a joint workshop aimed at improving the status and valuation of teaching in higher education. Along with the partner organisations, the Society co-signed a letter to The Guardian highlighting the disparity between how universities value teaching compared to research.
Letter calls for A level assessment to acknowledge practical element
Today the Ofqual Board is due to confirm a selection of A level reforms, and the Society of Biology has co-signed a letter to The Times. SCORE, a partnership of leading scientific societies, has written to 'implore' Ofqual not to separate practical marks from core A level science grades.
Members sought for the Education, Training and Policy Committee
Are you a member or Fellow of the Society of Biology? Would you like to inform our work on education, training and science policy? Could you commit a significant amount of time to driving forward the strategy in this area?