https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.88.43

Society Representatives play an invaluable role in promoting The Physiological Society’s activities to both current and prospective Members. There are 78 Representatives at universities throughout the UK and abroad – in countries such as Qatar, Nigeria and Ukraine. These ‘Reps’ act as a conduit between The Society and our Members, providing a point of contact for both Society staff and our network of physiologists worldwide.

Reps can also provide feedback to The Society, to help us provide a better service to you. What schemes are working well to support Members? How can we attract more physiologists, neuroscientists, biomedical scientists, etc. to The Society?

These questions were discussed at the Reps meeting at Physiology 2012 in Edinburgh this July. Sixteen of our Reps came together with Louise Crane, Outreach Manager, and Michelle Brook, Policy Manager, to review the schemes and roles Reps are responsible for, with a focus on how to promote The Society within their institutions.

Before the main discussion, Louise and Michelle reviewed the activities of The Society since the last meeting of Reps in September 2011. The schemes that Reps co-ordinate were then discussed, including: the Vacation Studentship Scheme; the Undergraduate Prize; and the Departmental Seminar Scheme. All these schemes are overseen by the Education and Outreach Committee, who will review them based on the Reps’ input in September.

One suggestion was that winners of the Undergraduate Prize should be publicised more: on university websites, on social media and in local newspapers. This suggestion can apply to all achievements of Society Members – any prizes won or activities undertaken could be announced to a wider audience.

Lucy Donaldson, Society Representative at the University of Bristol, recruited 124 undergraduate Members this academic year. She offered particular insights into attracting young physiologists to The Society. Bristol is in the fortunate position of having a physiology and pharmacology department, which provide funding to cover the £10 membership fee for all undergraduates. This is not the sole key to recruitment, however. Reaching out to students personally works – face-to-face communication is much more powerful than electronic – and so asking students to join at a meeting, seminar or lecture is very effective.

The following new Society Representatives were given special mention at the meeting:

• Anthony Lewis, University of Portsmouth
• Claire Peppiat-Wildman, Royal Veterinary College
• David Mazzocchi-Jones, Keele University
• Jane Haley, University of Edinburgh
• Mala Shah, London School of Pharmacy
• Matt Mason, University of Cambridge
• Neil Morris, University of Leeds
• Richard Mackenzie, University of Westminster
• Rita Jabr, University of Surrey
• Scott Wildman, Medway School of Pharmacy

We are always looking for new Society Representatives at institutions that don’t already have one. In recognition of the work, Reps receive free membership during their tenure. If you would like to become a Society Rep, please email societyreps@physoc.org.