Inclusion, equity and accessibility​

Cross-institutional event for undergraduates funded by Ambassador grants

The Society has committed to collecting better data to develop a framework to improve our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion. An EDI survey is now up and running within the Society’s CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) and has been soft launched with editorial boards to test its efficacy. Following this trial, it will be included in member renewal emails in 2025, and we hope members will share their data with us through this secure and anonymous process to help us benchmark the Society’s current position. These actions pave the way for a focused strategy to commence.   

Celebrating Our Committees: Driving Innovation and Engagement 

The achievements of this past year would not have been possible without the dedication of our committees. The Engagement Committee, in collaboration with BPS staff and the world-renowned psychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt, produced an insightful and visually compelling video exploring the role of psychedelics (psilocybin/'magic mushrooms') in mental health treatment—an excellent initiative to share vital knowledge in this exciting and evolving field. Watch it here. 

This year, the committee also awarded over £6,000 in Engagement Grants, supporting outstanding initiatives across the UK, Uganda, Nigeria, and beyond. Meanwhile, our Industry Sub-Committee, composed of leading experts, had the honour of presenting the Sir James Black Drug Discovery of the Year Award to Bristol Myers Squibb for their groundbreaking work on mavacamten, a first-in-class treatment for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—a testament to the transformative power of pharmacology. 

Our Early Career Pharmacologists Advisory Group (ECPAG) has now expanded to 25 exceptional members, ensuring that early-career voices play a key role in shaping BPS strategy. Their contributions have been instrumental in driving initiatives such as the Early Career Life Scientists' Symposia, the Student Society Fund, and the Student Choice Award for Excellence in Pharmacology Teaching—with the 2024 winner, Dr Aisah Aubdool, also being a valued member of our Engagement Committee. 

Public Engagement Lectures: Inspiring Diverse Audiences 

At our annual conference, we hosted three captivating public lectures, expertly organised by our Vice President of Engagement, Professor Pasquale Maffia. Highlights included Professor David Nutt and Professor Emeritus Cherry Wainwright’s thought-provoking discussion on psychedelics, Professor Emeritus Mandy MacLean’s inspiring career insights, and Professor Thomas Lüscher’s enlightening talk on cardiovascular pharmacotherapy. These events brought together attendees from all backgrounds, fostering meaningful discussions on cutting-edge treatments and scientific progress. 

Webinars: Making Science Accessible to All 

Our Engagement Webinar attracted over 50 live participants, featuring Yasmin Dickinson (@the.cardiac.scientist), a PhD student at Queen Mary University, who shared her journey as a dynamic science communicator—making complex topics engaging and accessible to all. We were also delighted to host Robin Craig, who provided valuable guidance on organizing inclusive, open-access events, ensuring our outreach remains welcoming to everyone. 

Ambassador Scheme: Expanding Our Reach 

Under the leadership of our new Community Engagement Officer, the Ambassador Scheme thrived in 2024. Ambassadors such as Alasdair Gibb, Samir Shawgy Ayoub, Aisah Aubdool, and Yvonne Dempsie organized fantastic events across the UK, bringing together the pharmacology community and beyond. Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to enhance the scheme with improved welcome materials, contracts, and support—further empowering our ambassadors to make an impact. 

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Volunteers 

Finally, we extend our gratitude to the passionate members who volunteered their time and expertise. Special recognition goes to social media contributors Dexter Lutsili, Karim Akhtar, and Yasmin Dickinson (also on our Engagement Committee), who brilliantly captured the spirit of Pharmacology 2024, offering a glimpse into the energy and innovation of our annual conference. 

---

Next: Celebrating and supporting our members
Previous: Embracing digital opportunities
Go back to Annual Review 2024