BSPP Ambassador Scheme

The board of the BSPP are reaching out to their members for applications to become a BSPP Ambassador.

Through a network of BSPP Ambassadors we would like to encourage engagement with the society and its activities. Under this scheme we would recruit an Ambassador to represent key organisations, institutions or regions that engage in plant pathology research or related activities.

Ambassadors will be enthusiastic, active and engaged members of the society who will act as a key contact for the society within their organisation, institution or locality. Ambassadors will showcase the benefits of membership, promote the work and activities of the society, and encourage new and current members to get involved. They need to be willing to be identifiable as a BSPP Ambassador on the BSPP website and to the individuals they represent.

Ambassadors will be provided with a BSPP promotion toolkit and will be able to request promotional resources in order to promote the BSPP at local events.

The typical term of an Ambassador will be from April to April*. Ambassadors will meet two or three times a year – typically once virtually in the late Spring at the beginning of their term and once in person or virtually in September, in association with the annual BSPP meeting (with travel costs and one nights accommodation covered by the society).

Ambassadors role-

• Ensure they are visible as a BSPP contact within their organisation, institution or region. Ambassadors will be listed on the BSPP website and will be asked to identify themselves to other members of their community by e-mail circulation, and where relevant by posting promotional material with their contact details in relevant physical locations.
• Disseminate information about upcoming BSPP activities and events to members of their community.
• Provide ideas and feedback on BSPP interactions with the plant pathology community to BSPP.
• Report on any events and activities they organise within their community, which may be of interest to society members, to BSPP, including content for the BSPP newsletter and social media.
• Interact with networks and societies, such as undergraduate bioscience societies, professional networks or early career researcher networks, to raise awareness of plant pathology and of society activities that may be of particular interest to these communities, such as our undergraduate vacation bursaries and travel fund.
• Work with the BSPP to promote plant pathology related activities within their organization, for example:
  • A social media takeover (Twitter/Instagram), Vlogs, Blogs etc.
  • Organise a membership talk / coffee morning
  • Organise a local plant pathology-themed activity at which the society will be promoted (e.g. seminar, training event)
  • Organise and co-chair a Plant Health Club session
  • Organise a social event/outing for local BSPP members
  • Promote equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in plant pathology, for example by highlighting the work of role models, or identifying diverse plant pathologists to speak in local seminar series or attend events.
  • Interact with local societies, such as local student bioscience societies to raise awareness of plant pathology

Benefits for Ambassadors include-

• Ambassador briefing pack, with information on Ambassador responsibilities and the support available and a template e-mail for circulation within relevant organisations to promote membership.
• Dedicated contact point: ambassadors@bspp.org.uk
• Basic promotional pack: BSPP baseball cap, t-shirt, bag, leaflets, posters (with space to include contact details).
• Monthly e-mail from BSPP with details of upcoming events and opportunities.
• Support in promoting events.
• Mentorship and advice when organising events, if local mentorship is not available.
• Evidence of recognition, communication and organisational skills for career development purposes.
• Opportunity to network locally and internationally with other plant pathologists as a representative of BSPP.
• Travel funding within the UK and one nights accommodation to attend the annual meeting of BSPP Ambassadors. International Ambassadors are encouraged to apply to the society’s travel fund if they wish to attend the BSPP Ambassadors’ meeting that will be held in conjunction with the Society’s annual meeting in person.
• Ability to apply for funding to support local events.

*BSPP reserves the right to terminate the term of an Ambassador before the end of their full term or personal circumstances may require an ambassador to step down from their role, in which cases a new Ambassador may be recruited mid-term.

Any queries please contact  Ambassadors@bspp.org.uk

The application deadline was 28th February 2023 – Applications are now closed