The value of learned societies in the biological sciences: benefits, threats, and futures
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Learned societies play a vital role in fostering interactions that are important in scholarly discourse and the advancement of biological sciences. However, they now face threats from declining funding and membership, shifting disciplinary boundaries, changing approaches towards digital communication, and academic marketization. We outline the historical development of these societies and propose ways to sustain them. Key considerations include improving meetings, adapting publishing models, ensuring financial stability, expanding membership, strengthening outreach, and managing increasingly broad remits. Our main aim is to examine how regional learned societies can maintain their roles to support scientific progress and enrich broader society.
Source: BMC Biology
Institutions: University of Liverpool, University of Alberta, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre, University College London, Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Natural History Museum, University of Nottingham, University of Kent
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems and Management
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,690
OpenAlex ID: W7144246707