Our Mission, Vision and Goals
The British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP) was founded in 1981 for the study and advancement of plant pathology.
Originally the Society was registered with Companies House and with the Charity Commission. In 2020 we successfully converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
The BSPP welcomes members from all over the world and from all branches of plant pathology. We support the professional interests of plant pathologists worldwide and provide information and communicate with our members via a newsletter, website and annual meeting.
We organise regular scientific meetings, edit three international pathology journals and make funds available to members for both travel expenses and short term undergraduate and masters level studentships.
The Mission
To empower and connect the plant pathology community in the UK and globally by facilitating education, research, knowledge exchange and public engagement through grant-funding, events, and publications.
The Vision
A thriving and inclusive community that advances the science of plant pathology for the benefit of people, plants and the planet.
In the five years between 2025 and 2029, our goal is to strengthen our focus on the plant pathology community by working with our members, wherever they are in the world, and empowering them to embed the benefits of plant pathology within wider society.
The Strategic Priorities
1. To encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to pursue interests and careers in plant pathology
Key activities:
- To support schemes that engage school-aged children in plant pathology.
- To develop and deliver activities that support undergraduate and postgraduate students, including bursaries, meetings and on-line activities.
- To grow our membership with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusivity.
- To develop the Society’s on-line presence and enhance engagement with the membership.
We will assess progress in these key activities by monitoring and analysis of our membership, and through member surveys.
2. To promote plant pathology research, knowledge exchange and dissemination
Key activities:
- To support members to attend and organise scientific meetings.
- To encourage scientific publications in Society-managed international journals.
- To provide fellowship schemes to support national and international scientific exchanges.
- To enhance links and interactions with other national and international learned societies.
We will assess progress in these key activities by monitoring and analysis of use of the fellowship, travel and other conference funding schemes by BSPP membership, through analysis of the Journal annual reviews, and through member surveys.
3. To increase public understanding of the importance of plant pathology
Key activities:
- To share plant pathology knowledge and research with a wide audience through co-ordinated outreach, publicity and promotional activities.
- To develop high quality education and outreach materials and disseminate these materials together with those developed by other organisations.
- To represent our membership on plant pathology issues by providing an independent voice in the media and to decision makers
We will assess progress in these key activities by monitoring and analysis of use of these materials on the website, and by compiling a detailed record of outreach, publicity and promotions activities undertaken by the Society.
4. To invest in our long-term sustainability through an effective organisational infrastructure
Key activities:
- Ensure the Board and support team are structured to make effective strategic decisions and manage operations efficiently and effectively.
- To ensure financial security and the capacity to invest in the future of plant pathology.
- To apply compliance and best practice in everything we do.
We will assess progress in these key activities through the operational success of modifications we make to the Board and committee structures and financial returns
