Spotlight on our committees - Chair, Portland Press Board
News, Jul 17 2025
Our mission is to foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise to advance the field of molecular bioscience at every career stage. This important work is made possible by the dedication and commitment of the individuals who serve on our committees, boards, and panels.
Each month, we’ll highlight one of our volunteers to provide a closer look at the work of our committees, the value they bring to the community, and the personal benefits of volunteering.
As Chair of Portland Press Board, Professor Nigel Hooper leads the Board in setting and evaluating the the overall strategic and operational direction, in collaboration with the related Editorial Boards.
We asked Nigel three questions about his role as Chair of Portland Press Board and what he has gained from the experience.
What inspired you to get involved with the Society and how has the experience matched or exceeded your expectations?
"I've been involved with the Society since I was a PhD student. Initially, my involvement was to attend training events and conferences, which helped me develop my research and networking skills.
Over the years my involvement with the Society has always been a positive experience, often exceeding my expectations in ways that I hadn't thought of initially."
Can you share a specific moment/accomplishment in your role/s that made you feel rewarded?
"Helping the Society move all its publications to full open access with the recent implementation of Subscribe to Open, has been a significant achievement. Playing a small part in the larger team effort to reach this milestone and thereby fulfilling a key objective for the Society in making the research we publish accessible to everyone, is a key highlight of my varied involvement with the Society over a number of years."
What skills and experiences have you gained from being part of the Society?
"I was involved on the editorial boards of the society's journals, which enabled me to support the publications that are so critical to the Society's activities and to continue my own development in critiquing others' research. Latterly, as Chair of Portland Press Board and a trustee, I've been able to give back to the Society."
