Call for nominations to serve on the BISA Executive Committee
We're pleased to announce that we have five trustee positions up for election to the BISA Executive Committee.
We are the UK’s foremost professional association promoting International Studies and the interests of those who research, teach and study the subject. Alongside our members we engage with interested professionals in think tanks, international organisations, the media and government, and have over 30 specialist working groups. We convene an annual conference, spend around £150,000 a year supporting research and scholarship, award a number of prizes that recognise excellence in research and learning and teaching, and are home to two highly-regarded journals as well as a prestigious book series.
Now is a great time to help take BISA forward. In 2020, we launched a new strategic plan involving a refreshed approach to communication, outreach, public engagement, career development and learning and teaching. We also launched a new website and brand, and put on over 70 virtual events! In June 2021 we’ll run our first fully virtual conference, and already have plans in place for exciting face-to-face conferences in 2022 to 2024.
The available positions are:
- Vice-Chair - We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated trustee to take on the role of Vice-Chair. This trustee position, serving a two-year term (2021-2023), deputises for and supports the Chair of the Association. The Vice-Chair has oversight of and responsibility for the Association’s key policies in relation to governance, financial and charitable obligations. Following two years as Vice-Chair this trustee then becomes the Chair for a two-year term (2023-2025).
- Secretary – We are seeking a trustee with an eye for detail to take on the role of Secretary. This trustee position, serving a three-year term (2021-2024) is responsible for keeping the ‘conscience’ of the Association, ensuring that trustees take decisions and act in line with the public benefit mission, and comply with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements. The Secretary is also responsible for matters that relate to the management of our membership, for any ‘general meeting’ call and the agenda of that meeting.
- There are three positions available for a regular trustee. Ordinary trustees may be asked to take responsibility for a particular portfolio of work. In this round of elections, we are particularly interested in applications from colleagues who have an interest in: the leadership of Learning and Teaching; overseeing the annual BISA conference academic programme; or equality, diversity and inclusion. Experience of leadership roles in academic departments or faculties is also very welcome.
For a full description of each role please download the documents at the bottom of this page.
It is essential that you read the relevant role description before nominating yourself or being nominated for a position on the Executive Committee. If you're elected you will become a legal trustee of BISA as a charity, so you must act in accordance with Charity Commission guidelines.
“BISA should be at the forefront of shaping higher education policy for the good…We also have a role to play in tackling limited student and staff diversity in higher education, and to enhancing dialogue and collaboration with scholars in the Global South. It’s an honour to have the opportunity to shape the discipline and our profession in these crucial areas through my BISA role.”
We strongly encourage applications from women and/or candidates from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Whilst we’re an association that represents the academic interest, our ‘public benefit’ obligation extends beyond the academy. We are interested in extending our membership and activities to involve those working in think tanks, journalism, NGOs, international organisations and government. We thus also encourage BISA members from outside the HEI sector to consider standing for election.
How to apply
For details of how to nominate, a full timeline for the election, and more information, visit our elections page.
Nominations close on Monday 26 April at 5pm.
"Being a BISA trustee allows you to look beyond your own specialism to engage with, and influence, broader issues affecting international studies scholars in the UK and beyond. It is also a great opportunity to expand your academic and research network and be inspired by the diversity and excellence of research produced by the BISA community."
