UPCOMING:

 

Join the SEB as a Representative for the APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM

The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) has signed an agreement to become a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity & Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed SEB member to represent us in this important group.

About the APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM works across all sectors of science and aims to promote the inclusion and progression of people from diverse backgrounds in science. They encourage government, parliamentarians, academics, businesses and other stakeholders to work towards a STEM sector that is representative of the population. The group also considers and influences policy changes to achieve this outcome. The British Science Association acts as secretariat for the Group, which is made up of Members of Parliament, the House of Lords, and STEM businesses and organisations. For more information about the group, visit the British Science Association website.

Why get involved?

• Gain a first-hand understanding on how UK policy is made and influenced.
• Gain experience in using evidence-based research to influence policy and decision-making.
• Actively contribute to improving diversity and inclusion in STEM.
• Enhance your CV and demonstrate impact for grant applications and career development.
• Make a difference and help create a better and fairer world.

What's involved?

• Attend 1-3 group meetings across the year, either online or in-person (mainly in London). SEB will cover travel costs for in-person meetings
• Represent SEB views in discussions on improving inclusion in STEM, with support from the OED Manager
• Provide feedback to the OED Manager on group activities and updates so we can feedback to SEB Council and membership.
• Help identify relevant opportunities, events, and resources that we can share with the SEB community
• Opportunities to create content for SEB website or magazine to highlight the group's work and SEB's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Interested?

If you are interested, please email Rebecca (OED Manager) at [email protected] by 1st June with a brief note (just a paragraph or so) letting us know:

• Why you want to be the SEB representative for the APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM.
• How you can effectively represent SEB's views on diversity to the group and communicate their work back to the OED Manager and wider SEB membership.
• That you can actively participate and attend 1-3 meetings per year (online or in London).

We are mainly looking for someone who will be actively engaged, wants to make a difference, and can communicate well. The OED Manager will review all emails from SEB members who express interest before making a decision. If there's high demand, we will rotate the position annually to give more members a chance to get involved.

Even if you're not selected this time, you are welcome to join our OED working group to help shape our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

Writing summaries of articles for the walking tour at Antwerp Zoo for the SEB Annual Conference

We’re creating summaries of articles from Conservation Physiology for a self-guided walking tour at Antwerp Zoo for the SEB Annual Conference, and we’d love more people to get involved.

Ideally, we’d want to have most of the written work done by 19^th May to give time for author approval, final adjustments, and design/print

If you are interested in contributing to writing a summary of an article, please contact me ([email protected]) or Rebecca ([email protected]), and we will share more information.

 

Interested in volunteering at SEB events/festivals?

SEB frequently participates in outreach and public engagement events, from career fairs to talks and festivals.

By actively participating in outreach, you can gain confidence and a new community, but also learn lessons from those outside the scientific community and get a fresh perspective to reignite your love for science. 

If you are interested in volunteering with us in one of these events, email Rebecca Ellerington at [email protected], who will provide a list of opportunities or contact you once a new opportunity in your local area opens up.

 

 

---

PAST:

 

Freelance science writer opportunity

The SEB is looking for new science writers to commission articles for the website and magazine. This is an excellent opportunity to create/increase your portfolio and build experience as a freelance science writer. It is important to highlight we already have freelance science writers who work with SEB, but we are expanding our cohort.

We have two spots available for this paid opportunity, and the work is on-demand based on articles commissioned. If successful, you will get paid by invoice. We can help you to put together an invoice for the first time if needed. Articles are commissioned at a standard rate of £100 per 500 words.

We will only receive applications from our SEB members, so please make sure you are up to date with your membership and that you are logged in to your account to access the form. You don't need previous experience as a science writer to apply for this opportunity. Still, we want to read an example of your writing, so we ask for an original piece of writing (produced by you) on a science-related topic for a wider audience. You can use a work you did for another purpose, but it can be a new piece, too. This writing is for the application review only. The word limit is 500-600 words. You are welcome to submit a piece that is longer than this, but we will read only the first 500-600 words.

Applications will close on 31 January 2024. We aim to review the applications and give feedback by the end of February 2024.

If you have any questions, please email Rebecca Ellerington at [email protected].

You are looking forward to reading your application!

 

Join the Signs of Spring Survey

The Royal Society of Biology and Field Studies Council have an open invitation to all people across the UK to participate in their Signs of Spring Survey. This initiative encourages everyone to observe and document the emergence of ten key signs of spring: bluebells, bumblebees, butterflies, daffodils, damselflies, dragonflies, frog spawn, hazel catkins, ladybirds, and snowdrops, as well as noticing the first cut of the lawn.

Your contribution is vital and you can add your sightings to their survey here: Signs of Spring (arcgis.com). By recording when and where you first encounter these signs of spring, as well as the weather conditions at the time you saw it, you play a vital role in documenting the changing seasons. The survey will remain open for submissions until 17th June 2024.

To participate, simply visit the Signs of Spring Survey page and complete the short questionnaire. Whether you're strolling through your local park or enjoying nature in your neighbourhood, keep an eye out for these signs and share your observations. Just make sure you always stay safe, remain aware of your surroundings, and dress appropriately for the weather.

For more information, please visit: https://www.sebiology.org/resource/join-the-signs-of-spring-survey.html

 

 Want to be a podcaster?

SEB is thrilled to offer members an exciting opportunity to help us launch the new podcast series. This role involves interviewing experimental biologists about their unique career journeys, the barriers and challenges they’ve encountered, and the inspiring ways they’ve overcome them.

To recognise the time and effort involved, we’re offering a remuneration of £15 per hour, with a maximum of 10 hours per month. Hours can be flexibly allocated across the year, allowing you to work more intensively in some months and take breaks in others.

There are two opportunities available:

• Podcast Interviewer
• Podcast Editor

 

Can chickpeas and lentils grow in the UK?

Scientists calling for up to 100 schools to help find out.

If you are a teacher and you would like your school to take part, please contact Dr Mark Chapman.