Professor Dame Athene Donald is to be the next President of the BSA.  She will take up the role, succeeding current BSA President Sir Paul Nurse, in September.

Her year-long term will begin at the British Science Festival 2015, hosted by the University of Bradford, where she will deliver the annual President's Lecture and host the Festival dinner, on Thursday 10 September.

During her time as President-Elect, she will serve on the BSA's Council, alongside immediate Past-President Professor Lisa Jardine and current President Sir Paul Nurse. Athene will become the BSA’s 177^th President, and will help integrate the organisation’s vision of a society in which science is seen as part of culture and society at large.

Professor Dame Athene Donald said: "I am hugely honoured to have been asked to take on this role, a role that some of the most famous names in science have filled in the past. The British Science Association has a key role to play in making sure that science is integrated, respected and understood in our society and I look forward to playing my part in helping to make that happen."

Imran Khan, CEO of the British Science Association said: “For nearly two centuries, we've been privileged to have some of the most inspiring and influential individuals in British science take up the post of President. I'm delighted that we're strengthening that tradition with the appointment of Athene Donald - at a time of change for the Association, we're lucky to have someone of her energy and intellect as an example for us.”

Read the press release here.