4. “The Science of Life”
A Learned Society, founded in 1876
Charles Darwin was one of the first Honorary Members
Physiology = the study of the body’s functions
Neuroscience and pharmacology have evolved from physiology
Publisher of scientific Journals, most notably The Journal of Physiology
Journals provide most of our Society income
Membership subscriptions account for only 3% of our income
About The Society
5. 3,400 members - UK and overseas
UK Membership
Overseas Membership
Society membership
7. A wider strategy to future-proof The Society
Decline in membership numbers in 2013
Recognition that progression between member categories could be improved
“Member journey” not well-communicated
Review of membership strategy initiated June 2014
Improvement measures put in place
8.5% growth June 2014 to date – split evenly across all generations
Have commissioned a report called The Health of Physiology, to be published in July 2015.
Membership review
8. How we establish the needs of our young members
How we develop member benefits and programmes around these needs
Younger members
Our membership programmes for Millennials
9. Rationalised after the membership review
Fellows – currently considering the introduction of Fellowship
Honorary Members – the great and the good, including Nobel Laureates for Physiology or Medicine
Full Members – published physiologists, mostly researchers in academia
Associate Members – an interest in physiology, not necessarily in academia
Affiliate Members – PhD students and young post-doctorates
Undergraduates
Membership categories
11. Especially in relation to The Health of Physiology
Focus groups
Recently held at the University of Leicester and the University of Bristol
Groups of members and non-members (all subsequently joined The Society)
Discovered in these groups that some students were taking physiology and life sciences degrees in
order to switch to medical degrees and sidestep the strict entry criteria
However 80% of these students decided to stick with physiology as they found it so interesting
Undergraduate membership will be completely free from September 2015
Looking at how we can fund undergraduates’ work placements in laboratories
13. What our younger members value – April 2015
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Member benefits
14. What our younger members receive
Travel grant funding - £100 for Undergraduates, up to £500 for Post-graduates – per year
Funding for courses, collaborative and outreach projects, and training
Free or heavily discounted Society event registration (presentations encouraged)
Free online access to The Journal of Physiology and Experimental Physiology
Young Physiologists' Symposia – as a delegate or an organiser
Access to online networking and mentoring
Funding for summer placements in laboratories
Member benefits
15. Young physiologists’ symposia
Young members apply for funding to hold their own symposia in our office event space in Central
London
They create the scientific programme, invite speakers and chair the event
The Society’s Events Team provides administrative and logistical support
Popular, but still under-subscribed; we want to do more
Great personal development skill for younger members’ CVs
Engages them with The Society
Member programmes
16. Career “speed-dating” initiative
Planned for Physiology 2015; our largest conference with 1,200 delegates
Young members will move after 5 minutes’ discussion with a senior physiologist
Advised list of topics will be provided
Members can indicate if they would like to stay in touch for formal mentoring
The aim is encouragement and sharing of research
Also will encourage sharing of career development/scientific publishing tips
Older members can be involved without a large time commitment
Member programmes
17. Early-career socials
Each of our conferences has a dedicated evening for young members
University Challenge-style quiz with physiology questions
Quizzes and ice-breaker events always popular
Younger members organise these social events with Society staff support
Either free of charge or very low charge – food and drink provided
Member programmes
18. Local University support for members
Younger members really appreciate local support from a Society Representative – traditionally a
long-standing member
Representatives also do low-level marketing for The Society; advise on our grant schemes and sign
up new Undergraduate members
We also support undergraduate university societies with funding for outside speakers to visit
Undergraduate grants available for practical laboratory work and summer placements
Undergraduate Prize in Physiology
Member programmes
19. The post-millennial generation!
We engage with the general public about physiology and provide resources for schools
Public engagement grants for anyone
www.understanding-life.org - aimed at 11-18 year olds
#PhysiologyFriday
Involved with UK Biology Week each October
Last year we ran the #Biobakes competition on Twitter and Facebook
11-year old winner of #Biobakes now wants to be a neuroscientist
Other engagement
