We will be opening the call of expressions of interest for the next BERA President, first assuming the role of Vice-President for one year prior to presidency, in November 2022. These expressions are shortlisted and interviewed by current members of Leadership Committee and the BERA Chief Executive. The elections themselves will take place in early 2023, with the successful applicant assuming the role of Vice-President in September 2023, and BERA

This is a crucial role to the Association, with the successful applicant succeeding Professor Vivienne Baumfield when her term finishes in 2024. The President acts as the Chair of the trustees (BERA Council) and chairs the BERA Leadership Committee. The period of this presidency coincides with the end of BERA’s current Strategic Plan, and this significant leadership role is integral to the success of this plan as well as the development of the subsequent strategy. The BERA President is expected to attend all Council, Leadership Committee and other meetings where required, and hold regular meetings with the BERA Chief Executive. The time commitment of the role is averaged across the year at about one day per week, reduced substantially during Vice-President years.

They will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for BERA’s strategic mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees and ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. They will act as an ambassador and the public face of BERA and often take a lead in major projects. The full role description and person specification can be found here.

As part of our wider commitment to greater equality and diversity at all levels of the organisation, we continue to seek increased representation from members with a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. In acknowledging the structural inequalities and unjust power imbalances that affect our members, we wish to be proactive in addressing this within our own structures.

At this time, we are making the membership aware of this impending opportunity and would welcome any engagement from those who wish to have an informal conversation about the role with either Dominic Wyse (President until September 2022), Vivienne Baumfield (President from September 2022), or Nick Johnson (BERA Chief Executive).

Please n.johnson@bera.ac.uk should you wish to discuss this role.

Further information on BERA’s governance can be found here.