UK Society for Biomaterials

CONSTITUTION

1. Title
The Society is a non-profit-making organisation known as the “UK Society for Biomaterials” hereinafter referred to as the UKSB.

2. Foundation
The UKSB launch date was 6 January 2000. The Society was launched with the support of a joint Working Party between the Institute of Materials (IoM) and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). The Working Party agreed unanimously that the establishment of a United Kingdom Society for Biomaterials was appropriate and timely.

3. Aims of the UKSB

  • To promote the multi-disciplinary field of biomaterials
  • To provide a forum for fostering the community concerned with biomaterials within the UK
  • To encourage exchange information within and without the Biomaterials community
  • To promote the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of biomaterials
  • To promote the views of the biomaterials community
  • To provide meetings and other activities designed to assist in the education of engineers, scientists and clinicians with an interest in biomaterials
  • To encourage the participation of members in European and international Biomaterials Societies.
  • To embody values of inclusivity, respect for diversity, and understanding of different perspectives within the biomaterials community.
  • To promote strong industrial and clinical partnerships and providing effective mechanisms for collaboration and innovation in biomaterials science.

4. Administration of the UKSB

4.1 Administrative support for the UKSB shall be provided by the council members of the UKSB Council as detailed in section 8.0.

5. Status of the UKSB

    The UKSB will have its own identity and will be governed by its constitution, with its President, Officers and Council.

    6. Finance

    6.1 Appropriate accounts shall be kept.
    6.2 The financial year of the UKSB shall end on 31 December in each year.
    6.3 Audited accounts will be presented at the AGM to members of the UKSB for approval.

    7. Membership

    7.1 There will be three categories of membership: full membership, student membership (PhD and research degrees), and a free membership category supporting final year undergraduates/taught postgraduates. The council reserves the right to update types of membership should the need arise.

    8. Admission and Termination

    8.1 Membership shall be subject to application and approval by the membership secretary. The Council may terminate membership if a member fails to comply with the rules or brings the Society into disrepute, provided the member is given an opportunity to appeal.

    9. Rights

    9.1 All members in good standing shall have the right to:

    • Vote at general meetings
    • Stand for office (if eligible)
    • Participate in Society activities and receive information from the Council.

    10. Management

    10.1 The affairs of the UKSB shall be governed by a Council, all the elected members of which shall be members of the UKSB.
    10.2 The Council shall include the President, the immediate past President, President elect, Secretary, a Treasurer, a Membership Secretary. Deputies can also be appointed for each of these officer positions at the discretion of Council for appropriate succession planning. Council officers will be elected by the council from the present council membership following nomination and voting. To be eligible for council office nominees should have been on the council for not less than one year.
    10.3 There will be an Early Career Forum (ECF), which will act as a focus group to support activities directed specifically to early career biomaterials scientists. This will act as a sub-committee under the main UKSB umbrella and be managed by the main UKSB council.
    10.4 The UKSB Council shall consist of:

    • The officers referred to in Rule 8.2 (above)
    • Ordinary Members elected by the council.
    • The lead of the ECF or a nominated representative.
    • At least one Industry and a clinical representative will be sought to serve on council.
    • At least one Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) representative will be sought to serve on council.

    10.5 The UKSB ECF Council shall consist members affiliated to different UK institutions:

    • A spokesperson.
    • A secretary.
    • At least one other ordinary member who shall assist with newsletters, conferences and other activities of the ECF.

    10.6 The UKSB Council may, by resolution, co-opt a maximum of eight additional Members. The quorum of a Council meeting shall be seven, at least two of who shall not be officers (Rule 8.2).
    10.7 Elections shall be held annually as a standing agenda item in the AGM, or as required. Ordinary members of Council shall be elected for five years. Maximum continuous term of office shall normally be as stated below, with each role allowing a maximum of two successive terms. The council reserves the right to extend the membership period of officer positions by up to two years (for a maximum of one single term), should there be a need to do so.

    • Member of Council five years
    • Secretary and Treasurer three years
    • President three years
    • Deputy Officers (and other officer positions) three years
    • ECF representatives three years.

    11. Elections

    11.1 Call for nominations for council membership shall be three months before the AGM. Closing date for nominations shall be two months before the AGM. Nominations shall require a proposer and seconder and shall include a statement from the nominee that they agree to stand. All shall be paid up members of UKSB. Votes will be requested one month before the AGM stating the closing date, which shall be at least two weeks later. Voting shall be by simple majority.
    11.2 At least thirty clear days notice shall be given of each Annual General Meeting and of any other General Meeting.

    12. Interpretation and amendment of constitution

    12.1 The Council of the UKSB shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of these Rules and any regulations made thereunder. These rules may be added to, repealed or amended by resolution of a General Meeting. Notice of such a meeting and any changes shall have been given according to Rule 9.2 provided that three quarters of the members present, and entitled to vote, are in favour. Voting shall be by show of hands unless at least ten members demand a secret ballot.
    12.2 Any proposed changes to the constitution shall be notified to the secretary at least two months before the AGM supported by at least ten members of the Society, for a distance ballot at the time of the election. Any changes to the constitution shall be supported by 55% of those voting.

    13. Conflicts of Interest

    13.1 Council members must declare any personal interest in any matter and must not participate in any discussion or decision where such an interest exists.

    14. Dissolution
    In the event of the dissolution of UKSB, any remaining assets shall be transferred to a charity or non-profit organization with similar objectives, as determined by the Council.

    Modified by PR and ARB on 04/07/2025 4