Priced out of belonging? Insufficient concessions on membership fees across international societies in ecology and evolution

Abstract

Learned societies, as professional bodies for scientists, are an integral part of the scientific system. However, their membership fees have the potential to be prohibitive to the most vulnerable members of the scientific community. To shed light on how membership fees are structured, we conducted a survey of 182 international learned societies relevant to researchers in ecology and evolution. We found that 83% of these societies offered fee concessions to students, but only 26% to postdoctoral researchers. An average regular membership fee—US$67.8, student fee—US$27.4 (42.7% of the regular fee) and postdoctoral fee—US$42.7 (52.9%). Other types of individual concessions, such as for emeritus, family or unemployed, were rare (2–20%). Of the surveyed societies, 43% had discounts for members from developing countries (Global South). Such discounts were more common among societies located in high-income countries. Societies with a publicly visible commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion were more likely to offer different types of concessions. Currently, fees may prevent researchers from vulnerable and underprivileged groups from accessing multiple professional benefits offered by learned societies in ecology and evolution. This includes postdoctoral researchers, who should receive more support. We recommend tangible actions towards making learned societies more affordable and accessible.

Published in

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
2025, volume: 292, number: 2040, article number: 20241430

SLU Authors

• Bertram, Michael

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Monash University
  • Stockholm University

• Thoré, Eli

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
  • University of Namur

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.1430

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/140536