Neuroendo Celebrate | The BSN today – look how far we’ve come!
To mark a key turning point for both the British Society for Neuroendocrinology (BSN) and our official journal, Journal of Neuroendocrinology (JNE ) this year, 2026, we are sharing the story of our Society and Journal with a series of Neuroendo Celebrate blogs charting their origins and journey through to the present day. In this blog, we take you back to the very beginnings of JNE with quotes from the Editors-in-Chief at the time.
Since its first meeting in Oxford in 1985, the British Society for Neuroendocrinology has gone from strength to strength.
Whilst still true to our original ethos of a friendly, supportive Society championing excellent research in the field, the BSN has expanded from a small group of passionate scientists in the 1980s through 417 members, two-thirds of which were UK-based, in 2018, to today’s international membership of over 700 with over 50% based outside of Britain.
Our grants programme, funded by income from the Journal of Neuroendocrinology, has become a cornerstone of support to our members, particularly Early Career Researchers, with over £450,000 due to be awarded to members this year. Since 1985 we have established prestigious prizes and awards that champion and support our outstanding members.
Our annual meetings continue in the original welcoming and supportive spirit in which they started. We also pride ourselves on supporting the next generation of neuroendocrinologists in their careers, hosting Early Career Researcher in-person meetings, webinars and tutorials.
The BSN is the major financial supporter of the International Neuroendocrine Federation. In 2022 the BSN also hosted the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology in Glasgow, UK, with speakers and attendees joining from across the world.
Over the years the BSN has developed high-quality resources for established and up-and-coming researchers. Teaching is supported through our curriculum guide and Neuroendocrine Briefings, improved grant applications are fostered with videos and our fellowship writing toolbox and networking is encouraged through inspiring blogs and interviews with BSN members.
With this increase in membership, event organisation, resources and grant awardees, the Society’s strategy and management has also grown. Alongside the BSN Board of Trustees this strategic oversight was led by freelance CEO Sue Thorn for 12 years.
This year, 2026, marks a key turning point for the Society with the appointment of Fran Cockshull as BSN’s first staff-member CEO, who will continue to champion the BSN’s original spirit as the Society continues to build on the work of scientists and staff since it began in 1985: Multidisciplinary, collegiate and mutually supportive.
Our next blog looks at how far the Journal of Neuroendocrinology has come since it began back in 1990.
