Call for BERA Membership Chair in London

We are seeking expression of interest from members for the role of Membership Chair. This is an important leadership role, providing strategic oversight to BERA’s member activities, helping ensure our activities remain relevant to our community. The membership chair sits on BERA’s trustee board and chairs BERA’s Membership Committee to shape membership strategy, support member engagement, and work towards BERA’s strategic plan. The term runs from 1 January 2028 – 31 December 2031.

The main duties of the role include:

• Provide strategic leadership through contributing to the oversight of the BERA strategic plan and through effective decision making.
• Ensure good governance by fulfilling the legal duties of the trustee, acting in the best interests of BERA, including overseeing financial sustainability, risk management, compliance, and fulfilling duties as an employer.
• Oversee BERA’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs), Networks and Forums monitoring their activities and the level of support provided to them.
• Oversee BERA’s programme of awards and fellowships, ensuring the highest academic standards in both process, criteria and outcome are upheld, and judging duties where required.
• Maintain ongoing oversight of the composition of BERA’s membership how the range of members’ interests can be best served by different networking opportunities or awards, and the health of the organisation sustained, as well as ensuring a strong member offering.
• Consider the strategic interests of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in BERA’s work and activities.
• Work well with the BERA professional office, in particular the Membership and Engagement Manager.

To apply, please complete the application through clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of this page. The application consists of three questions, and a short CV and references must be provided. Due to the importance of the position, BERA reserve the right to hold a shortlisting and interview process, this will be led by the BERA Chief Executive, relevant office staff, and senior members of BERA Council. It is intended interviews are held in the week of 1 September. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Monday 27th July 2026.

Eligibility and Time Commitment:

• The BERA Membership Chair must have current or very recent experience (c.12 months) of BERA’s Membership Committee or BERA Council.
• To be eligible to stand, candidates must be members of BERA at the time of application and remain so for the duration of their term.
• There are six trustee meetings per year: January (BERA office, London), May (conference programming), June (overnight strategic away day), July (virtual), September (held at BERA conference), November (BERA office, combined with AGM event).
• The Membership Chair also chairs BERA’s Membership Committee, which meets three times per year (ordinarily virtually). The time commitment is c.15 days per year. Full expenses are paid in line with BERA policies.

As part of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, we welcome applications from members from groups currently underrepresented in our governance. We are committed to addressing structural inequalities and ensuring our leadership reflects the diversity of the BERA community.