BNA Local Group Representative (LGR)

Closing Date

28 Feb 2024

Salary

n/a

As the UK’s largest organisation representing and promoting neuroscience and neuroscientists, and with activities designed to 'Connect, Inform, and Influence', the BNA has significant influence both within the profession of neuroscience and out into the wider community.

Key to delivering these objectives is the work of our Local Group Network. This consists of 35+ groups across the UK and Ireland, led by a dedicated team of Local Group Representatives (LGRs). The Local Group Network is a powerful way to share information about neuroscience and the BNA to members and non-members alike, bring more neuroscientists into the BNA, and is critical to creating a strong and connected neuroscience community within the UK and - thanks to BNA’s membership of FENS - across Europe too.

Your role

The expectations of a BNA Local Group Representative (LGR) include:

• Recruiting established/senior researchers to the BNA, as well as postgraduates and Early Career Researchers
• Being the primary link between the BNA nationally and your local membership on matters including promotion of BNA events, press enquiries and putting the BNA in touch with fellow neuroscience colleagues
• Submitting applications from you or your members for Local Group funding
• Being a local leader: keeping your ear to the ground on what issues are affecting neuroscience research in your local group, feeding this information upwards to the BNA nationally, and supporting members to work together to address issues through campaigns
• Identifying and supporting other potential BNA leaders in your Local Group, developing them by delegating tasks to them (e.g. displaying posters and flyers at your institute)
• Helping out on BNA stands at conferences
• Contributing to the BNA Bulletin and keeping the BNA Office updated with news and events
• Attending the annual LGR Forum

Recruiting other local leaders, for example Local Group Student Representatives (LGSRs) can help support the work of your Local Group.

What you can expect in return:

• Training and support to carry out your role effectively and support your local neuroscience community
• Advertising of your jobs, reporting on your events, and coverage of your role via the LGR network, BNA Bulletin and BNA website
• Opportunities to apply for sponsorship of your innovative local neuroscience-related events (LG Funding) and nominate members of your local group for prizes and awards
• A trusted network of experts with which to form new collaborations and share knowledge and skills
• Having the voice of your local neuroscience community heard nationally, via you as an ambassador for its wants and needs in the current climate
• The opportunity to propose new committee members from your Institution for a variety of national BNA roles
• FREE BNA membership!  This is pending successful completion of a short report at the end of each academic year

Formal expectations and deselection

LGRs and LGSRs operate under “coordinated autonomy”: your local membership, via you, are in charge of the activities your Local Group does in line with the general strategic aims of the BNA. To maintain an effective and active Local Group Network however, the BNA nationally will send out a small number of formal requests to you each year. This is to ensure that LGR/LGSRs are still active in their roles and wish to remain as BNA representatives at their institutions. The main formal requests will be sent at the beginning of June each year. The annual formal expectations of the LGR are as follows:

• Continue your membership with the BNA
• Review and update your Local Group page on the BNA website
• Inform us of channels you have been using to distribute BNA communications e.g. university mailing lists
• Agree to following the ‘Guidelines for representing the BNA’

How to apply to become an LGR

Check the current LGR vacancies listed on the BNA website (scroll down to see table of LGRs).

An ideal candidate for an LGR is someone of mid- to senior level who is in position to lead and influence their local neuroscience community. They must be geographically located in the relevant area and be familiar with the research, teaching and associated neuroscience activities.

If you are interested in filling one of these vacanices, please contact the BNA office at office@bna.org.uk at any time.