About The Physiological Society

To promote the advancement of physiology, and as a result of the 1875 Royal Commission on Vivisection and the subsequent 1876 Cruelty to Animals Act, The Physiological Society was founded in 1876 as a dining society ‘for mutual benefit and protection’ by a group of 19 physiologists, led by John Burdon Sanderson and Michael Foster, meeting at Sanderson’s London home. Charles Darwin and William Sharpey were elected as The Society’s first two Honorary Members. Michael Foster was also founder of The Journal of Physiology in 1878 and was appointed to the first Chair of Physiology at the University of Cambridge in 1883.

Membership has now risen to more than 2600, including 14 Nobel Laureates and over 800 Affiliates (younger scientists) drawn from over 50 countries. The majority of Members are engaged in research, in universities or industry, into how the body works in health and disease and in teaching physiology in schools and universities. The Society also aims to facilitate communication between scientists and with other interested groups.

To achieve its objectives, The Society supports up to five scientific meetings annually, organises international workshops, publishes two journals and awards grants to allow Members to travel to scientific meetings and to carry out research collaborations. Interaction with outside bodies is encouraged through representation on various councils and committees, and active membership of the Biosciences Federation and the Federation of European Physiological Societies

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