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About BSID

A UK investigative dermatology group was formed in 1973 and became the BSID in 1982, when a formal constitution was drawn up.

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The BSID is an inclusive skin research society, aiming to engage young scientists and clinicians.

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Our Mission

The BSID is an independent non-profit organisation formed in 1982, and is a registered charity. The purpose of the Society is to promote high quality scientific research in dermatology, skin biology, and related subjects, and disseminate these results to the public. This occurs principally through the annual meeting, which comprises oral and poster presentations of original research, guest lectures, and educational symposia and promotes interactions between scientists and clinicians.

The Society is particularly keen to encourage the involvement of young scientists and clinicians in dermatological research. An important role of the Society is educating trainees in dermatology and scientific workers in the field of dermatology and skin biology.

The Society also facilitates the exchange of ideas and dissemination of information on all aspects of skin biology and skin disease.

Our History

The history of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology (BSID) can be traced back to 1968 when a sub-committee of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) was formed to organise a winter meeting. The first winter meeting comprising 14 oral presentations was held in March 1969 at the Middlesex Hospital, London. Following the success of the winter meetings, an investigative dermatology group of the BAD was formed. The first meeting was held in 1973 and meetings continued on an annual basis. In 1982 the investigative group of the BAD was renamed the British Society for Investigative Dermatology and although still affiliated to the BAD, the BSID became a separate society. Since that time the BSID has continued to flourish and the size of the meeting has gradually increased.

The BSID functions to promote research in dermatology. The scientific programme runs over two days, and there is a balance between clinical and non-clinical research in oral and poster presentations. In addition, there is a UK and an overseas guest lecturer. Recent overseas guest speakers have included : Dr Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, U.S.A. “Mechanisms that govern skin immunity and microbial homeostasis” (2021) and Prof. Sabine Werner, Institute for Molecular Health sciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland”Stromal-epithelial cross-talk in inflammatory skin disease and cancer”(2019). Since its inception, the BSID has encouraged dermatologists in training to attend and present their work. The meeting also provides an excellent forum for non-clinical postgraduate students working in relevant areas to present their research at a national meeting.