Royal Society of Biology

{{Short description|British learned society}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox organization | name = Royal Society of Biology   | image = Royal Society of Biology.svg | image_border = | image_size = | image_alt =  | caption = Official logo | map =  | map_size =  | map_alt =  | map_caption =  | map2 = | abbreviation = RSB | predecessor = [[Institute of Biology]], [[Society of Biology]] and the [[Biosciences Federation]] | successor = | formation = 2009 | type = [[Learned society]] and [[Professional association]] | status =  | purpose = | headquarters = [[London]], UK | location = Postal address: PO Box 33, 95 Mortimer Street, London W1W 7GB | remarks = '''Motto''': ''Scientiam Vitae Propagare'' (To Expand the Science of Life) | region_served = | membership = 20,000+ individual members and almost 100 Member Organisations | language = English | general_secretary =  | leader_title2 = President | leader_name2 = [[Ian L. Boyd]] | leader_title3 = [[Chief Executive Officer|Chief Executive]] | leader_name3 = Dr Doug Brown FRSB | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | key_people = | main_organ =  | parent_organization =  | affiliations = | budget = | num_staff = | num_volunteers = | website = {{URL|http://www.rsb.org.uk/}} | former_name = Society of Biology }} [[File:Arms of the Royal Society of Biology.png|right|thumb|220px|Coat of arms of the Royal Society of Biology]] The '''Royal Society of Biology''' ('''RSB'''), previously called the '''Society of Biology''', is a [[learned society]] and [[professional association]] in the [[United Kingdom]] created to advance the interests of [[biology]] in academia, industry, education, and research. Formed in 2009 by the merger of the [[Biosciences Federation]] and the [[Institute of Biology]], the society has more than 20,000 individual members, and almost 100 Member Organisations.<ref name="Society of Biology">{{cite web |url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/membership/organisational-membership |title=Society of Biology membership grades |publisher=Society of Biology |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> In addition to engaging the public on matters related to the [[life sciences]], the Society seeks to develop the profession and to guide the development of related policies.

Individual Membership is open to both professional biologists and non-professional individuals with an interest in the life sciences, reflecting the Society’s inclusive and diverse community. ----

==Organisation== In May 2015, the society, previously called the Society of Biology, was granted permission to become the "Royal Society of Biology".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/news/14-news/1269-society-of-biology-granted-royal-status| title=Society of Biology granted Royal title| publisher=Royal Society of Biology| date=13 May 2015| access-date=3 December 2015 }}</ref> The society is also a [[registered charity]].

The first president of the society was Professor Dame [[Nancy Rothwell]] ([[University of Manchester]]);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/profiles/rothwellNancy/|title=Nancy Rothwell|access-date=29 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030072444/http://www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/profiles/rothwellNancy/|archive-date=30 October 2014}}</ref> the current president is <ins>[[Ian L. Boyd|Professor Sir Ian L. Boyd]].</ins>

The Royal Society of Biology supports university students and early-career researchers with careers advice, travel grants and careers days. In 2012, it developed a Degree Accreditation Programme to promote high standards in the biosciences and highlight degrees which provide graduates with the skills required for academic and industry careers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Degree Accreditation |url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/education/accreditation |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

=== Fellows of the Royal Society of Biology === Notable Fellows and Honorary Fellows include Sir [[David Attenborough]], [[Sue Black, Baroness Black of Strome|Professor Sue Black]], [[Roger Highfield|Dr Roger Highfield]], [[Alec Jeffreys|Professor Alec Jeffreys]], [[Paul Nurse|Sir Paul Nurse]], [[George McGavin|Dr George McGavin]], [[Venki Ramakrishnan|Professor Venki Ramakristhnan]], and [[Alice Roberts|Professor Alice Roberts]].

===Professional qualifications=== Members of the Society are entitled to employ [[postnominal]] letters: AMRSB for associates, MRSB for members, and [[Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology|FRSB]] for [[Fellow]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Society of Biology membership grades |url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/index.php/membership/individual-membership/which-grade |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

The Society is exclusively able to confer a status of Charted Biologist. The title "Chartered Biologist" is legally protected in the UK, and Chartered Biologists have the exclusive entitlement to use the designation '''CBiol''' after their names.

Unlike academic qualifications such as a BSc (which indicate a level of training), Chartered status confirms both an academic level of training combined with a period of professional work experience. Chartered status professionally recognises those in their field working at a high level, engenders public confidence in professionals and gives employers confidence in their employees. The status of Chartered Biologist is available to both Fellows (FRSB) and members (MRSB) of the Royal Society of Biology, upon successful application.

The title of Chartered Biologist was originally designated with permission of the [[Privy Council]] to appropriately qualified members of the [[Institute of Biology]] in July 1984.<ref>Ford, Brian J., (2000) ''Institute of Biology: The First Fifty Years''. Institute of Biology: London. {{ISBN|0900490373}}</ref> According to the [[Privy Council]], CBiol "provides evidence that a biologist's professional qualifications and experience have been approved by his peers and is a definite measure of knowledge and ability." The right for the Institute of Biology to confer CBiol was incorporated into the Institute's Royal Charter.

In June 2016 the Society launched the Plant Health Professional Register. The Register provides an opportunity for those working in plant health to have their profession recognised, and to be able to continue their [[professional development]].<ref>{{cite web |date=1 June 2016 |title=Society launches Plant Health Professional Register |url=https://www.rsb.org.uk/news/14-news/1523-rsb-launches-plant-health-professional-register |access-date=19 May 2018 |publisher=Royal Society of Biology}}</ref>

In June 2024 the Society launched the Biorisk Professional Registration Scheme. Biorisk Professional Registration provides a mechanism for those involved in management, control, or containment of biorisk to develop and evidence their professional skills and to provide a benchmark of professional competence for duty-holders.

The society is a member of the [[Science Council]], and is licensed to award the [[professional qualification]]s of [[Chartered Scientist]] (CSci),<ref>{{cite web|title=Science Council|url=http://www.charteredscientist.org/licensed-bodies/links|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> [[Registered Scientist]] (RSci), and Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) status to suitably qualified members. The society can also confer the status of [[Chartered Science Teacher]] (CSciTeach).

===Competitions=== The Society runs a number of competitions including a photography competition and a children’s drawing competition, BioArtAttack2D.

===Biology Week=== The society has organised an annual Biology Week since 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/past-biology-weeks|title=Past Biology Weeks|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek|title=Biology Week|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref> It takes place in October and aims to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds with biology. It involves a series of events for scientists, schools, and members of the public.

===Surveys===

The Society has run a number [[citizen science]] projects in the past, including a Flying Ant Survey with [[Adam Hart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/flying-ant-survey|title=Flying ant survey|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref> and a House Spider Survey, also with Hart, to collect reports of sightings of ''[[Tegenaria]]'' spiders using an [[Mobile application software|app]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/hands-on-biology/spider-app|title=Spider app|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, the Society launched the Starling Murmuration Survey to study why starlings murmurate and thus inform research into why this species is in decline.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/starling-survey |title=Starling survey |access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref>

The Society has also partnered with the [[Field Studies Council]] to run the Signs of Spring survey.

==''The Biologist''== {{Infobox magazine | italic title = | title = The Biologist | logo = | logo_size = | image_file = Biologist August 2013 cover.png | image_size =  | image_alt = Cover of the magazine | image_caption = August 2013 cover | editor = Tom Ireland | editor_title = Editor | previous_editor = | staff_writer = | photographer = | category = [[Professional magazine]] | frequency = Bimonthly | circulation = | publisher = | founder = | founded = 1953 | firstdate =  | company = Royal Society of Biology | country = United Kingdom | based = | language = English | website = {{URL|http://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist}} | issn = 0006-3347 | oclc = 2240345 }} ''The Biologist'' is a bimonthly British [[professional magazine]] published by the Society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebiologist.societyofbiology.org/index.php/biologist|title=HOME|access-date=29 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029201800/https://thebiologist.societyofbiology.org/index.php/biologist|archive-date=29 October 2014}}</ref> The magazine was initially established by one of the two predecessor bodies, the [[Institute of Biology]], in 1953.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lccn.loc.gov/75640041 |title=Biologist, Journal of the Institute of Biology |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |work=Catalogue |access-date=2013-08-18}}</ref> It is edited by the science journalist Tom Ireland. The magazine is abstracted and indexed in several [[EBSCO Publishing|EBSCO databases]], including full-text access through [[Academic Search Complete]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ebsco.com/m/ee/Marketing/titleLists/a9h-journals.htm |title=Magazines and Journals |publisher=[[EBSCO Publishing]] |work= Academic Search Complete |access-date=2023-05-08}}</ref>

==See also== * [[Glossary of biology]] * [[List of biologists]] * [[Outline of biology]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.rsb.org.uk/}} * [http://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist ''The Biologist''] (journal)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Society Of Biology}} [[Category:British biology societies]] [[Category:Chartered Scientists|Biologists]] [[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Biology|*]] [[Category:Learned societies of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Organisations based in the London Borough of Camden]] [[Category:Scientific organisations based in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Scientific organizations established in 2009]] [[Category:2009 establishments in the United Kingdom]]