Membership Profile: Debbie Nash, Senior Lecturer in Animal and Equine Science, Aberystwyth University

How did you first become aware of BSAS, and what motivated you to join as a member?

Many years ago when I moved to Aberystwyth University, many of my colleagues were members and encouraged me to join.

What specific benefits have you experienced as a member of BSAS?

As well as the many membership benefits listed online, I became very active on the Programme Committee, helping to organise the annual conference, especially organising the equine sessions. Over a period of years I moved up to being secretary, deputy and finally chair of that committee, which certainly raised my professional profile. In fact it was well received by my University and helped support a successful promotion application.

Another benefit of the BSAS conference is that it is very post-graduate friendly and is a great platform for PhD students to present for the first time. I would always encourage an inexperienced student to present there as it’s guaranteed to be a welcoming forum for a first scientific conference.

How has being a member of BSAS helped you in your career or professional development?

Being a member of BSAS has also introduced me to the BSAS-RSB accreditation scheme, which enables me to be recognised as a Registered Animal Scientist. Part of the requirement to remain on the register is to maintain an active CPD record, and indeed, many of the committee level activities and conference attendance at BSAS qualified as CPD points to ensure I stay on the register each year.

Have you actively participated in any BSAS committees or working groups? If yes, how has this involvement influenced your understanding of the animal science field?

Yes, see above. Attending the annual conferences is also very helpful to expand my learning from other fields, as well as advance my knowledge of latest developments. Some of these developments can be used to updated my lecture notes for teaching under and post graduate students.

In what ways has BSAS facilitated networking opportunities with other professionals in your field of interest?

Yes, BSAS supported an initiative I had which was an annual meeting ‘Colloquium for Equine Reproduction’. I started the colloquium by myself but it was financial difficult to run (as well as time consuming) so BSAS offered to incorporate it as a satellite meeting in the annual conference. The colloquium ran for 2 years, and stopped as other more global equine reproduction meetings started to become more popular (and I could no longer lead the organising as I started a family and had to reduce my commitments). Nonetheless, the support was super and it also helped me expand my networks and reputation as a scientist.

Have you had the opportunity to present your research or work at any

BSAS conferences or events? If yes, how was your experience?

Yes, and this is one of the Societies’ strengths…a friendly and

welcoming platform to present work to UK-wide professionals.

 To sign up to become a BSAS member visit  my.bsas.org.uk