October News: Miscellaneous

Launch of the UK Plant Sciences Federation on 23 Nov 2011

The UK has a reputation for world class research and development in the plant and crop sciences, and a rich diversity of research groups that reflect the importance of plants for the health and wealth of the nation. However there has been a growing need for a unified body within the UK that incorporates the vast range of plant science researchers, educators and industries. This is in part due to the grand challenges of food security and climate change, which shifts the research agenda and demands an inclusive, comprehensive dialogue across the plant and crop science community.
To address this need, the Society of Biology and a range of plant science stakeholders have come together to form the UK Plant Sciences Federation (UKPSF) as a special interest group of the Society. This exciting new initiative will create an inclusive central forum for UK plant scientists, provide a coordinated vision of plant and crop sciences across the UK, and to serve as 'one voice for UK plant science' to inform policy makers, funders and society.
The Society of Biology will launch the UK Plant Sciences Federation on Wednesday 23 November in London, with a keynote address by botanist and celebrated author, Dr Sandra Knapp from the Natural History Museum. Members of the CPPS Steering Group will be represented at the launch.

Maturing plans for EPSO 'Fascination of Plants Day’ activities in Cambridge

Topic 'the plants behind household objects'; input invited
Previous newsletters have included information on an EPSO 'Fascination of Plants Day' on Fri 18 May 2012. Representatives of the Botanic Garden, the Sainsbury Lab, the Dept of Plant Sciences, the Society of Biology and the CPPS Steering Group met on 15 Oct to discuss options for coordinated activities in Cambridge around that day.
Plans are as yet tentative; it was suggested to organise a day of 'drop-in' activities at the Botanic Garden on Saturday 19 May 2012 (rather than Fri 18 May, to capture larger audiences), and targeted primarily at families. The preferred theme was 'the plants behind household objects'.
Feedback and involvement from the wider CPPS community would be valuable – please email Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley at bgs21@cam.ac.uk with any comments, or if you would like to get involved in the planning process.

Assistant Editor required at JXB

The Journal of Experimental Botany (JXB) is a leading plant science journal publishing high quality primary research and review papers in plant sciences. The papers cover a range of disciplines from molecular and cellular physiology and biochemistry through whole plant physiology to community physiology and food security.
As Assistant Editor you will contribute imaginatively to the development of the Journal as part of the editorial team; in particular the Journal is seeking to improve the quality of service it provides to both its authors and readers, raise the profile of the content it publishes and continue its commercial success.
You should be educated to PhD level in plant science and have experience and understanding of the academic and peer review process and the complexities involved in the measurements of quality and success in academic publishing. An understanding of the significance of plant science and the ability to communicate this to different audiences is essential.
The JXB title is owned by the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB), therefore all profits directly or indirectly support the work of the SEB in "... increasing the influence of, Experimental Biology within the scientific community and Society."
For further information and to apply online, please visit: http://hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=A235R.