The Society
Details of how to join the BMS or contact the Office along with details about the Society’s Constitution, Committees and Grants can be found here
Fungal Biology Research
Representing academic research across the fields of medical mycology, plant pathogenesis, fungal ecology and biotechnology
Education and Outreach
Raising awareness of fungi and fungal science at all levels though public engagement and the provision of educational resources
Field Mycology
Go on BMS field trips, join local fungus groups, or learn about the Society’s Conservation work
Library and Information
Downloads of various BMS documents, Identification Keys, English names of fungi and details of Mycological Events and News are available here
Featured Events
13 Oct 2020 – 15 Oct 2020
State of the World's Plants and Fungi - Virtual Symposium Education
Kew Gardens (online)
We are pleased to announce that the first international State of the World's symposium combining both plants and fungi will take place online from 13th to 15th of October 2020.
Join international experts to discuss actions for protecting and sustainably using the world’s plant and fungal biodiversity for the benefit of people and the planet.
Registration for this online event is now open.
Registration – FREE
To help ensure that the symposium is as open and inclusive as possible, we’re making the event free to attend. We rely on donations to help us continue our scientific research and preserve our collections and would welcome your voluntary contributions to support our work.
State of the World's Plants and Fungi Virtual Symposium
13 – 15 October 2020
Online worldwide(over three shortened days, to accommodate participation across different time zones)
In conjunction with the publication of a groundbreaking report, scientists, policymakers, businesses, NGOs, the public and media will come together online for the State of the World's Plants and Fungi Virtual Symposium.
Plants and fungi are the building blocks of our planet, with the potential to solve urgent problems that threaten human life. These vital resources, however, are being compromised by biodiversity loss and now, more than ever, we need to explore the solutions that plants and fungi could provide.
In September 2020 we will be publishing, in collaboration with international researchers, the very first State of the World’s report that combines both plants and fungi. The report takes a deep dive into how we currently use plants and fungi, what we are missing and what we are at threat from losing.
This online symposium brings together experts to discuss findings presented in the report and to motivate actions for protecting and sustainably using the world’s plant and fungal diversity. The outcomes of the discussions will be used to inform policies and research aimed at exploring and sharing knowledge and benefits associated with plants and fungi around the world.
By holding it online, we’re able to bring together even more people globally – representing a diverse range of skills, experience and ethnic backgrounds. Through our virtual platform’s live text chat and face-to-face video conferencing facilities, delegates will be able to network, contribute to the debate, present their results and spark new collaborations.
Programme
The symposium is based around six themed sessions in which invited experts will address a topical question through presentations and a Q&A panel discussion:
Collections – Why are they important for averting biodiversity loss? What should we do to help them evolve to enable us to address future challenges?
Biodiversity loss – What is driving the extinction rates?
Plant and fungal uses – How can we maximise the use of plant and fungal diversity to meet global challenges?
Genomics – How do we embrace novel approaches to studying plant and fungal biodiversity?
Commercialisation – How do we optimise the economic benefits of plant and fungal biodiversity in recognition of different stakeholders’ needs?
Policies – How can we work globally to respect and enable Access and Benefit-Sharing and CITES regulations, while increasing the diversity of plants and fungi being studied?
Other highlights include:
- Virtual poster presentations and prizes
- Workshops and networking discussions
- Virtual Kew: experience Kew Gardens through virtual tours and behind the scenes video footage
Virtual poster presentations and prizes
Delegates are invited to submit an abstract to present a ‘virtual poster’ – a one-minute pre-recorded presentation using PowerPoint slides, audio and (optional) video. Prizes will be awarded for the best student and early career researcher virtual poster presentations.
Abstract submissions will open soon.
Registration and tickets
Standard ticket: £10
Fee waiver: to help ensure that the symposium is as open to participation as possible, delegates may apply for a fee waiver at the time of registration.
Tickets include access to all live sessions and recordings, virtual posters, networking discussions, virtual tours and more.
Registration opens very soon. For more information, please visit kew.org/sotwpf-symposium
7 Dec 2020 – 9 Dec 2020
Annual BSPP President’s Meeting and AGM Information
The BSPP holds an annual Presidential Conference which BSPP members can attend for a reduced fee. The conference always incorporates the PH Gregory Prize which is awarded for the best presentation made by a young scientist and the J Colhoun prize which is awarded for the best presentation of a poster.
The BSPP holds an annual Presidential Conference which BSPP members can attend for a reduced fee. The conference always incorporates the PH Gregory Prize which is awarded for the best presentation made by a young scientist and the J Colhoun prize which is awarded for the best presentation of a poster. BSPP also supports a number of other meetings throughout the year. Suggestions of themes for these generally come from BSPP members.
BMS Mission Statement
To promote fungal science internationally
The Society’s Objectives are to:
- Promote the recognition of fungal science in the UK and internationally
- Support and grow the key areas of Society activity to promote further understanding of fungal science and to inspire future generations of mycologists
- Support the Society’s academic publications and other resources on fungal biology for the international community
- Organise conferences, workshops and other activities supporting mycology
- Encourage those interested in fungi and related organisms to join the Society and to take part in our events, whether in a professional or amateur capacity
- Promote networking across the fungal science community and maintain strong links with other relevant national and international learned societies and organizations
- Ensure that the Society’s resources are utilised effectively to further fungal science
Membership and it's Benefits
Future BMS Events
3 Oct 2020 – 4 Oct 2020
UK Fungus Day 2020 Education
Saturday 3rd October and Sunday 4th October
Celebrate the wonderful world of fungi!
Life on earth depends on fungi. Join us for the weekend to find out
why, how and what fungi do to improve our lives and our environment
Fungi are amongst the world’s most important organisms. They are expert recyclers, plants depend on them, they save lives through the production of such drugs as penicillin, and are important in the manufacture of many different foods.
British Mycological Society Launches First Virtual UK Fungus Day
Saturday 3rd October and Sunday 4th October
Celebrate the wonderful world of fungi!
Life on earth depends on fungi. Join us for the weekend to find out
why, how and what fungi do to improve our lives and our environment
Fungi are amongst the world’s most important organisms. They are expert recyclers, plants depend on them, they save lives through the production of such drugs as penicillin, and are important in the manufacture of many different foods. Each year, since 2013, the British Mycological Society (BMS) has helped organise and support a range of public events to help share the magic of fungi.
With the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the BMS and the Fungal Education and Outreach committee have pioneered a series of online events and activities to allow anyone to learn about the magic of fungi from the safety of their homes.
Events will include:
● Online talks and Global Experts with Q&A Starting at 11:30 each day there will be presentations prepared especially for our online audience covering favourite topics related to fungi. Subjects range from mycorrhizal fungi (the ones that help plants grow) to stories about mushrooms suitable for the whole family.
● Five Minutes of Fungi Listen to five-minute shorts from mycologists from all walks of life with different specialisms, passions and expertise who want to encourage you to join in the fungal fun. These snapshot profiles will start appearing on the UK Fungus Day pages from 1st September, so start watching and if you have any questions for the authors of the snapshots or our panel send them in!
● Virtual Forays Take walks in the park with Geoffrey Kibby and Ali Mckernan. Learn about some of the wild fungi that appear in early autumn and see if you can find them in your local park or garden.
● Movie Night Saturday night will see an online screening of The Creeping Garden, a 2014 documentary on Slime Moulds directed by Tim Grabham and Jasper Sharp
● Fantasy Fungus A competition for all ages. Create your own fungus and tell us all about it.
Competition closes 11th of October 2020, with judging of the entries to be complete by October 25th.
Further details on all UKFD events can be found at www.ukfungusday.co.uk
Download a Poster of events to display in your local Library or Community Hub.
11 Oct 2020
Field Meetings and Covid-19 Field
Due to the current pandemic BMS field meetings have been cancelled. This includes the Group Leaders Meeting due to be held in June.
The coronavirus pandemic will inevitably affect our field events and recording programme planned for this year. Current government advice is to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and avoid contact with anyone other than those you live with. The BMS website should be consulted for details of any cancellations or changes to planned events.
Field enthusiasts should ensure that any recording they carry out takes account of government guidance or restrictions in place at the time to ensure their safety and well-being and that of their communities.
Group Leaders' Meeting 2020
The GLM planned for the weekend of 26th to 28th June 2020 at Northern College, Barnsley, has been cancelled due to concerns and uncertainty regarding the coronavirus outbreak.
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Announcements
Get involved with the British Mycological Society
