The BSTP is a full organisational membership of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) - full organisational members are typically biology-led, and have individual members themselves.
Access the latest RSB Newsletter here - 
RSB_-_March_2025_Newsletter.pdf (530.6 KiB, 87 hits)
For archive copies of the newsletter, please contact the BSTP Secretariat.
Science policy
Member Organisation the BSTP will have the opportunity to help formulate the UK's position with respect to the biological sciences. the RSB create policy task forces, which meet to discuss and formulate responses to Government and other consultations. The BSTP as a Member Organisation will be invited to take part in these meetings, and contribute to the response, which is submitted on behalf of all Society members.
To access the latest Science Policy Newsletter - RSB - Science Policy Newsletter - 28th March 2025 (478.9 KiB, 62 hits)
Upcoming RSB training courses
Just a reminder, as the BSTP is a member organisation, all members are eligible for a 25% discount on all training. All you members would need to do to claim this discount is email training@rsb.org.uk with details of your BSTP membership and we can apply the discount for you.
Royal Society of Biology training: Research Ethics
This one-day training course on Research Ethics will cover the fundamental principles of ethics and medical ethics, with a specific focus on research ethics. It will take place on 1 May via Zoom. For full details and to book your space, please visit the RSB training events page. If you have any questions, please email training@rsb.org.uk
Royal Society of Biology training: RSB Technical Skills Courses 2025
Learn new practical skills and elevate your techniques with the Royal Society of Biology’s laboratory-based courses! These include our courses in Microscopy & Microbiology on 22 May and ELISA on 23 May at Brunel University, along with our courses in Aseptic Techniques, and Cell Culture: The Basics at the University of York on 3 June.
These courses contribute to the Technical Skills Certificate, which is designed to support the training and development of technical staff – the people who ‘make it happen’ and are essential for facilities to run smoothly! The certificate also supports applicants working towards Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) status by supporting key competencies for professional registration. These in-person courses are also an excellent networking opportunity!
Visit our training events webpage for full details and to book your place on these courses.
Royal Society of Biology training: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, May 2025
This course is aimed at biological and medical scientists who wish to explore the opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Computational Biology. The course will take place over Zoom on 28 May. For full details and to book your space, please visit the RSB training events page. If you have any questions, please email training@rsb.org.uk
Royal Society of Biology training: Leadership in a Laboratory Environment
This two-day course aims to introduce some team-working and leadership models that can be of practical use in developing of leadership and management skills. The course will take place over Zoom on 5-6 June. For full details and to book your space, please visit the RSB training events page. If you have any questions, please email training@rsb.org.uk
Royal Society of Biology training: Introduction to Reproducible Analyses in R, July 2025
Biologists at any career stage interested in experimenting with R are welcome to attend this course. Held over Zoom on 2-3 July, this course is an entry point to R for more reproducible data analysis and visualisation. No previous coding experience is assumed. For full details and to book your space, please visit the RSB training events page. If you have any questions, please email training@rsb.org.uk
Royal Society of Biology laboratory skills training
To support the career development of technicians and laboratory staff, the Royal Society of Biology launched the Technical Skills Certificate alongside a portfolio of in-person and online courses in laboratory skills. Currently available to book are the laboratory skills courses in Aseptic Techniques and Cell Culture: The Basics, hosted at University of York on 3rd and 10th June. To view available courses and to book your space, please visit the RSB training events page. If you have any questions, please email training@rsb.org.uk
Royal Society of Biology training: Laboratory Health & Safety (& COSHH)
This one-day training course will be of particular interest to practitioners working in biological containment laboratories, and also for those keen to acquire skills that are relevant for career progression to supervisory and laboratory management roles. It will take place on 9 July via Zoom. For full details and to book your space, please visit the RSB training events page. If you have any questions, please email training@rsb.org.uk
Royal Society of Biology training: Introduction to Toxicology
Want to learn more about the variety of disciplines that make up toxicology? The RSB is hosting a two-day Introduction to Toxicology course in London on 26-27 November. For full details and to book your space, please visit the RSB training events page. If you have any questions, please email training@rsb.org.uk
The BSTP’s organisational membership of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) means that BSTP members can benefit from a discount of 50% for their first two years of individual RSB membership.
The RSB is a single unified voice for biology: advising Government and influencing policy; advancing education and professional development; supporting members, and engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences. The RSB represents a diverse membership of individuals, learned societies and other organisations.
RSB members who work, study, or have an interest in the life sciences, proactively support the future of biology in the UK, and receive a range of benefits including a subscription to The Biologist magazine.
Please email membership@rsb.org.uk to take up this offer
Outreach
The RSB work with Member Organisations to gain maximum return, jointly and individually, for collaborative input to various outreach projects. By acting as the central facilitator in a number of bioscience education, careers and outreach projects for a range of audiences, the RSB aim to enhance and develop coordination and communication with and between Society Member Organisations and their members
Additional benefits
- Individual members of the BSTP can take advantage of a 50% reduced rate on Royal Society of Biology membership for the first two years, enabling them to take advantage of a range of additional benefits, including our Continuing Professional Development programme and our professional awards
- The RSB run a variety of courses and workshops - these are offered at a discounted rate of up to 50% for members of the BSTP
- The RSB offer free course approval for CPD purposes
- Wider representation through the Society's membership of other organisations and coalitions
- Members e-bulletin – monthly email containing updates on Society activities and other news of interest
- Full Member Organisations are invited to attend and are eligible to vote at AGMs
- Opportunity to publicise events on our website
- Job advertising discount on our Job Board
More about the Royal Society of Biology
The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice for biology: advising Government and influencing policy; advancing education and professional development; supporting our members, and engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences. The Society represents a diverse membership of individuals, learned societies and other organisations. Individual members include practising scientists, students at all levels, professionals in academia, industry and education, and non-professionals with an interest in biology.
Our vision is of a world that understands the true value of biology and how it can contribute to improving life for all.
Our mission is to be the unifying voice for biology, to facilitate the promotion of new discoveries in biological science for national and international benefit, and to engage the wider public with our work.
Values
Vocal: we act as the voice for biology
Inclusive: we support diversity and equality in the life sciences for all
Uniting: we bring together individuals and organisations to achieve our vision
Leading: we lead the field in our areas of work with a proactive and honest approach
Evolving: we respond and develop our resources to meet the evolving needs of the sector
Advancing: we advance biology interest, education, professional development and policy through our dedicated staff and volunteers
Inspiring: we aim to inspire our members and the public in the wonders of biology through our communication and engagement
We use the terms biology, biosciences, life sciences, and biological sciences interchangeably to encompass all areas of the science of life from molecules, through whole organisms to ecosystems and across every specialism.
The Royal Society of Biology is a registered charity (No. 277981) and is incorporated by Royal Charter.
