Programme of Work For April 1996 - December 1998
1 Aims
The primary objective of the UK Systematics Forum in its second term (1996-1998/9)
is to establish a national strategy for systematic biology research. The Forum
will also seek to develop long-term support for its activities through an appropriate
learned society and to build on its work to date providing a focus for debate
on systematics.
2 Introduction
The Forum has succeeded in creating a network of systematists to promote discussion
and co-ordination on the issues central to systematics. This has been achieved
through a range of activities including regular meetings of a committee of representatives
from the UK’s main collections-holding institutions. During the next three years
the Forum will capitalise on these achievements and carry them forward to develop
a national strategy for systematics research.
The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology recognised a need for a national strategy in their 1992 report on Systematic Biology Research. A national strategy should help to ensure that the future requirements of the users of systematics are best met, to strengthen co-operation between institutions and to obtain the best possible use of available resources. The strategy will derive from an assessment of scientific opportunities and the needs and priorities of the users of systematics. It will address the implications of these priorities for collections policy and training.
The strategy will be developed in four stages and the results published in a report:
a) Commitment Building
Meeting of Institute Directors
b) Assessment of needs and priorities for systematics research:
c) Development of National Strategy
d) Consensus Building
e) Final report, "The Web of Life"
The consultation process and development of a national strategy will take place alongside the Forum’s on-going activities in its role of promoting coordination: developing the database of expertise and supporting meetings of specialist groups. Together, these activities comprise the programme of work for the UKSF in its second term of funding from April 1996 to October 1998.