Advance your career and contribute to the field – become the next BSN Deputy ECR Representative
How can you advance your career and make a difference to neuroendocrinology?
Join the Committee of the BSN as the Deputy ECR Trustee (1 year as Deputy and 1 as Trustee). You’ll get the opportunity to network with neuroendocrinologists worldwide, both ECRs and senior, and will have the chance to have input to ECR activities. All this with support from senior Committee members and the BSN staff and freelances.
“This role gives you a seat at the table with influential scientists. You learn how decisions are made and events are organised. It’s a great opportunity to learn about all aspects of the BSN in a supportive environment, and to build your professional network and reputation. ECR members are the future of neuroendocrinology and it's important that we look after and nurture these members. This role was really fun and gave me the chance to speak up for ECR members at BSN board meetings and make positive changes on behalf of my early career peers."
– Rebecca Dumbell, ECR Representative 2019-2020
This highly rewarding and exciting opportunity for an engaging and enthusiastic ECR will see you:
- Have a seat on the BSN Committee
- Learn from senior members
- Attend quarterly board meetings
- Gain an understanding on what goes into running the BSN
- Represent your fellow ECRs
- Shape the BSN's interaction with its early career members
- Establish and evolve processes that support the early career members of the BSN, e.g. webinar series, mentoring scheme, blog series
- Actively organise a dedicated ECR day at the BSN annual meetings
The role of the Deputy ECR Representative include:
- Attending BSN General Committee meetings (please be aware that these occur according to working hours in the GMT/GMT+1 timezone)
- Attending BSN ECR sub-committee meetings (please be aware that these occur according to working hours in the GMT/GMT+1 timezone)
- Assisting the ECR Trustee in organising the ECR Event at the Annual BSN Meeting
- Assisting the ECR Trustee in opening up nominations and voting for the next Deputy ECR Rep
- Assisting the ECR Trustee in organising other events and workshops to support ECRs in the BSN Community
- Progressing to the role of ECR Trustee from the following Annual BSN Meeting
“You’ll get to pick the brain of more senior and established researchers…sitting on the board of trustees, I found that pretty much all anyone wanted to discuss was how to support and encourage the next generation of neuroendocrinologists…The BSN is full of people and opportunities that will help you grow as a scientist.”
– Dave Lyons, Deputy and ECR Representative 2020-2022
How to nominate a candidate or yourself
If you would like to nominate a candidate or self-nominate, please complete the nomination form by 5pm [British Summer Time] on 31 May 2025. At least one proposer must be an ECR member.
If the number of nominations does not exceed the available vacancies (including Trustees seeking re-election), an election will not be required. However, if nominations exceed vacancies, an election will be conducted, and the results will be communicated to members on or before the AGM.
About the BSN Committee
The BSN Committee makes recommendations regarding strategy, funding vehicles, future meetings etc to the Annual General Meeting of the Society which is held at the annual scientific meeting. Sub-groups of board members administer the different funding schemes that are available, and the Society’s public engagement strategy.
As per the BSN’s Rules, the Trustee Committee aims to represent all aspects of the BSN community, ensuring:
- subject knowledge and balance;
- geographical and subject distribution;
- gender, ethnic and age balance;
- balance of academic, industrial and other relevant experience;
- knowledge of and involvement in national and international neuroendocrinology.
The BSN strongly encourages nominations from neuroendocrinologists belonging to groups historically underrepresented in the field.
The BSN is a registered charity, and its Trustees are accountable to the Charity Commission for the governance and management of the organisation. Prospective nominees are encouraged to review the relevant Charity Commission guidelines, as well as the BSN’s governance documents and financial accounts.
