Society milestones

The Society has welcomed its 50,000th member: Mr George Kitsaras, Assistant Psychologist at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, who joined soon after his graduation and arrival in the UK. George is currently taking a master's degree in clinical psychology at the University of Reading. He said: 'I was aware of the importance of BPS before coming to the UK. Joining was my first goal after my graduation back in Greece because many of my colleagues highly recommended it. One of the reasons I became a member is that I believe a career in psychology in the UK is linked with BPS membership due to the unique networking opportunities that the Society offers and its international prestige. Also the access to a wide range of journals and reductions on training opportunities are particularly valuable at this point in my career.'

George is looking forward to his prize of attendance at the Society's 2015 annual conference in Liverpool (5–7 May). He also receives a year's free Society membership. The milestone continues the yearly growth that has seen membership rise from over 10,000 in the early 1990s. Society President Professor Dorothy Miell said: 'All of our members – from those who have been loyal activists for years to those joining now– are the lifeblood of the Society. As a membership organisation our strength comes from the effect that each and every one of our members can make in their work promoting psychology – whether by teaching, practising or researching in so many different settings. We are proud to welcome each new member and to offer them support in their work.'

The Society has also celebrated another milestone, the 50th anniversary of the granting of our Royal Charter – the principal governing document, which established the objectives by which the Society still operates today. To mark the occasion, the President, Professor Dorothy Miell, has sent a message of Loyal Greeting to Her Majesty the Queen on behalf of all members.
The Charter has undergone a number of revisions over the course of the last 50 years – perhaps most notably in 1987, when we gained authority to run a Register of Chartered Psychologists. View the current version.