Engage with Your ISSCR
The ISSCR has reached another new milestone during our 20th Anniversary year. We now have 4,500 members representing nearly 80 countries across the world. As advances in stem cell science accelerate and we see our membership expand, it is an exciting time to be a part of the field’s preeminent international society.
This year, one of my chief goals is to create opportunities for our members to become more engaged with the society’s activities and to enhance our interaction with stem cell researchers from under-represented countries. This will further our success in cultivating an inclusive, global society. As part of the three-year strategic direction for the ISSCR, we are committed to providing platforms for all members to initiate activities that promote communication and collaboration and that embrace our internationality. A fantastic new way to get members involved is to provide new opportunities to all of our members and let you nominate yourself for such opportunities. This bottom-up approach of engagement creates equal opportunities for all members at all levels to experience the value of being a part of ISSCR.
To kick off this new approach, I am happy to announce the opportunity to serve on the new Stem Cell Reports Early Career Scientist Editorial Board (ECEB). This ECEB opportunity offers mentorship from senior scientists and editors, insights into how the journal evaluates and reviews manuscripts, and advice on journal content and programming, such as the podcast, and build new connections. ECEB is the first program of this kind for our open access society journal and aligns with our focus this year on membership engagement.
Opportunities for members to take an active role in the society will continue to roll out over the coming year as we focus on inclusivity and value. And while I am excited about seeing the new ECEB launched this year, I also want to remind you of two other ways to engage with the society this fall. Nominations for ISSCR scientific awards are open through 23 September and we are seeking nominations for the ISSCR Board of Directors through the end of September. I’ll expand on this more next month.
Until then, ISSCR is here to support our community worldwide, to create opportunities for scientific exchange and international collaboration, and to help our research community thrive. It starts with you – so share your talents and become a part of our next 20 years of achievements.