Our mission promotes the sharing of knowledge and expertise to support the molecular bioscience field across all career stages, which could not be possible without the hard-work and determination of those that sit on our committees, boards and panels.

Every month, we introduce you to one of our committee members to gain insight into what our committees do, the benefits to the community, and the benefits to the individuals involved.

Dr Emma Hargreaves sits on our Policy, Education and Communities Committee as the EDI Representative, guiding the Society's policy work and supporting the teaching and learning of molecular bioscience, together with overseeing the Society's membership offering. Emma also sits on the Society’s EDI Committee, working to support a diverse and representative community with activities that are open, transparent, and available to all.

We asked Emma three questions about her Society membership and her role as an EDI Representative and what she has gained from the experience.

As a Society member you have had the opportunity to join a committee, but what inspired you to take that step? And how has the experience compared to what you imagined?

I became involved with the Biochemical Society in 2018 when I joined what was then Research Area 1 (Genes) Panel as an Early Career member. I had been attending a Biochemical Society sponsored conference presenting my research, when the Panel Chair, Rachel Simmonds, approached me and encouraged me to apply. She spoke inspiringly about the panel's work and the opportunity to become involved in the wider scientific community, so I decided to put myself forward. Joining the panel gave me a chance to not only contribute to discussions in my research area, but also to make connections with colleagues beyond my immediate field and institution. 

As my career progressed and I became a lecturer, I developed a growing interest in education and outreach and the role of societies in supporting these areas nationally. After such a positive experience being part of the Society’s committees, I felt I wanted to contribute more widely to those conversations myself and play a small part in helping to shape Society initiatives that support the wider community. It was that which inspired me to apply to join the then Education and Outreach Committee.

The experience has honestly been everything I hoped it would be, and I would say, more. There is such a collaborative and welcoming environment within the Society. The panel works together and genuinely values each other’s perspectives. It has given me the opportunity to meet and network with people I would otherwise never have crossed paths with. 

Is there a particular moment/accomplishment from your role(s) that made you feel proud and highlighted the value of being an active member?

One moment that for me really highlighted the value of being an active member of the Society was attending the inaugural Minoritised Life Scientists Future Form (MLSFF) in 2025 through my role on the EDI Committee. The event brought together students, researchers and professionals from underrepresented backgrounds across the UK and wider, and it was incredibly inspiring to be a part of. 

I have a longstanding interest in supporting marginalised PhD students and encouraging reflexivity in research, so being able to deliver a workshop at the conference was a real highlight. But what made the experience especially meaningful for me was being able to get involved behind the scenes as well; one of my favourite memories was helping to hand out baklava and other sweet treats to attendees in celebration of Eid. It made for such a fun atmosphere and gave me ample opportunity to speak with lots of different people.

I also had the chance to judge some fantastic poster presentations and felt incredibly proud to be there representing the Biochemical Society.  Spending time with Society staff who were also there supporting the conference really reinforced for me the importance of the Society's EDI work and the positive impact it can have in the wider scientific community.  It was an experience that made me feel really proud to be involved. 

Which skills or insights do you feel you’ve built because of the opportunities available to you as a member of the Society?

Being involved with the Society has given me a much broader perspective on science, education and policy than I would otherwise have had from my day job. One of the things I value most is the opportunity to hear about developments in science policy nationally and internationally and to understand how this impacts researchers, students and institutions in very different ways.

I really appreciate the diversity of perspectives represented within the committees. For example, having members from further education and industry alongside those from academia gives me valuable insight into the different skills, challenges and opportunities across the wider scientific community. Through the Society I have been fortunate to contribute to summer internships, outreach grants, EDI grants and communication project reviews as well as seeing the incredible work recognised through Biochemical Society prizes and awards. 

All these experiences have broadened my understanding of education and public engagement but also have given me insight into what funding panels and review committees are looking for more generally. I think just as importantly I find the work genuinely inspiring. I have loved discovering new outreach ideas such as the Scientific Scissors activity and hearing examples of innovative teaching and student support from other institutions. Being part of these conversations continually gives me new ideas and perspectives that I can bring back into my own teaching and mentoring.

Discover more about our Policy, Education and Communities Committee and our EDI Committee.