Today, the British Science Association (BSA) has opened applications for its new Chair.  You don’t need to be a scientist to be our next Chair, but you must be passionate about the value science can bring to society. 

Our current Chair, Gisela Abbam, will stand down when her term ends in January 2022.  Gisela became Chair of the BSA’s Council in January 2019, succeeding Rt. Hon the Lord David Willetts. Gisela has championed the BSA’s mission and vision, driving forward our agenda on equality, diversity and inclusion in STEM, and offering vital links into policy, business and global science and health networks.

Last week, we also announced the news that after five years at the BSA’s helm and thirteen years in total with the charity, our Chief Executive, Katherine Mathieson, will step down from her role at the end of March 2022, and move to join the Royal Institution as its new Director.

The BSA will advertise for applications to become its next Chief Executive early in the new year. 

Recruitment of the two roles is being managed by a sub-committee of the BSA’s Council with support from specialist recruitment agency, Starfish, who have an excellent track record in the recruitment of senior roles, particularly on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Stephen Nuttall, Deputy Chair of the BSA’s Council, said:

“We are hugely grateful to Katherine and Gisela for their contributions to the BSA and they leave with our very best wishes. 

“This is an exciting time for the BSA as we look ahead to our bicentenary with a fresh ten-year strategy to guide us.  The new CEO and Chair will both join at a pivotal time with science very much front and centre of events.

“Our recruitment process will be fair, open and inclusive, and we welcome applications from  diverse candidates from a range of sectors, backgrounds and lived experiences.”

You can find out more about the Chair vacancy on Starfish’s website; applications are open now and close on 31 January 2022.