A group of members in Australia and New Zealand have officially launched an Australasia branch of the Society.

The branch will be headed up by Professor Lloyd Reeve-Johnson CBiol FRSB, of the University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and will aim to connect activities promoting the biosciences across the entire region of Australasia and Oceania. 

In November 2014 Hong Kong became the Society’s first international branch, joining the 17 regional UK branches that direct RSB activity in local areas.

Professor Lloyd Reeve-Johnson said the formation of the branch was a “very exciting development” as the “entire southern hemisphere lacks a unifying society that works across disciplines to promote biology."

“This marks the conclusion of several years of collaborative discussions with the Australian Institute of Biology and other smaller professional interest groups in Australia, New Zealand and regionally, who have long histories of promoting biology in our unique habitats,” said Professor Reeve-Johnson.

“Our aspiration is that this will form an inclusive body from our entire region of Oceania and Australasia, and represent the interests of our local biologists from many fields to showcase some of our unique fauna and flora, whilst enabling us to better utilise the infrastructure and resources of the Royal Society of Biology.”

The new branch is encouraging expressions of interest for committee membership, project and meeting hosting or organisation. Contact the committee at australasia@rsb.org.uk