An update from the Chair of the students and new professionals Group of the International Society of Biometeorology

A news update from the students and new professionals group of the International Society of Biometeorology

An update from the new Chair and Executive Committee of the Students and New Professionals Group of the International Society of Biometeorology.

Perspectives on biometeorological research on the African continent

Since the first issue of the International Journal of Biometeorology in 1957, a total of 135 papers have reported on research in or of African countries. The majority of these have been on topics of animal biometeorology (36%), and the greatest proportion (24%) are situated in Nigeria. There has been a considerable increase in papers on African biometeorology since 2011, with those from this past decade accounting for 58% of all African papers in the journal. This occurs concurrent to an increase in the total number of papers published in the journal, driven by a move to the Editorial Manager system. While 66% of the papers on African biometeorology in the journal are authored by at least one person with an affiliation in the African continent, only 15 African countries are represented in the total authorship. As much of the African continent is projected to experience climatic changes exceeding the global mean, as much of the region is involved in animal and plant farming, and as seasonally-fluctuating and climatically affected diseases are common place, this low representation of work in Africa is surprising. This points to the need for greater awareness among African researchers of the discipline of biometeorology, greater involvement of African biometeorologists in International Society of Biometeorology and Commission meetings, and the inclusion of a greater number of African academics in the review process. This would be beneficial to the Society in increasing diversity and encouraging a more cosmopolitan engagement, and to the recognition of scientific development in African countries.

Developments in the International Society of Biometeorology over the decade, 2007-2016

Over the decade 2007-2016, the International Society of Biometeorology (ISB) has pursued its purpose of advancing the science of biometeorology through its Congresses and sponsoring conferences, meetings and workshops. In conjunction with Springer, ISB has introduced a new book series: Biometeorology, and published three volumes. ISB's journal, the International Journal of Biometeorology, has increased the number of issues to 12 per year and added the Fields of 'Aerobiology', 'Climate Change and Ecology' and 'Climate Change and Public Health'. Within ISB, there are currently six Commissions, reflecting the interests of the members and the needs of society. The newest, Biophysics of Adaptation and Response Commission, formed in 2015. Another group which formed over the decade was the Students and New Professionals Group. The Universal Thermal Climate Index Commission was formally dissolved in 2014 having met its aim of developing an easily understood human thermal index. At the Executive Board level, geographical representation has increased, with Councillors now being elected to represent six regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Oceania and Northern America. The ISB has worked to better coordinate and communicate biometeorological research, collaborating strategically with international partners to achieve this objective.