News Update 23 November 1998
Emma Watson, the Secretary of the UK Systematics Forum, has now left her post to return to her studies. Enquiries concerning the Forum should therefore be sent directly to the Steve Blackmore, Chair.
The major activity this year has been the production of "The Web of Life" which is the final activity of the Forum under the direct financial support of the Office of Science and Technology. The Web of Life will be launched at the Natural History Museum on 30 November 1998.
From December 1998, the Forum enters a new phase of its existence. The Directors of the institutions which make up the Forum Committee have signalled their willingness to continue to support the active participation of their staff in the work of the committee. Meanwhile, a new umbrella organisation is being sought to provide a "home" for the UK Systematics Forum so that it can continue to work in the longer term. In the next year, the major emphasis will be on implementing the national strategy outlined in the Web of Life. This will be done through a series of Working Groups and anyone who would like to be involved is invited to contact the Chair of UKSF.
The UKSF website will continue to be hosted by the Natural History Museum and will be updated as the implementation of the national strategy progresses.