Article Dans Une Revue Seed Science Research Année : 2025

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the International Society for Seed Science

Résumé

It has been 25 years since the International Society for Seed Science (ISSS) was founded, marking a quarter of a century of shared dedication to advancing seed science worldwide. Over these years, the ISSS has served the scientific community of seed scientists, bringing them together into a vibrant and dynamic community driven by the collaborative spirit of its members. With great pride and a sense of history, I write this foreword to celebrate the society's enduring impact and the remarkable journey we have undertaken together.

The founding of the ISSS is a story of visionaries who recognized the need for a global platform to foster collaboration and innovation in seed science. Mike Black, among others, played a pivotal role in establishing the society, and their legacy continues to inspire our work today.

Central to the ISSS's success has been the dedicated leadership of its presidents, secretaries and treasurers (Table 1). Over the generations, these individuals have shouldered the responsibility of guiding society's growth and direction. They have been supported by the invaluable counsel and contributions of additional trustees serving on the Executive Committee. This collective leadership has shaped the ISSS into the thriving and dynamic organization it is today.

The main focal point of the ISSS is the organization of meetings and conferences. These gatherings have been instrumental in fostering connections, sparking ideas, and shaping careers. For many of us, ISSS conferences have been defining in career moments. They provide a rare opportunity to step away from the daily demands of research and administrative duties and take time to reflect on our research and its place in the broader context of seed science. In an increasingly fast-paced and interconnected world, these interludes are more important than ever. Reflecting on my journey, I vividly recall the excitement of attending my first ISSS conference, meeting future mentors and collaborators, and experiencing the dynamic exchange of ideas that these events facilitate. Science thrives on discovery and collaboration, and ISSS meetings provide the perfect environment to nurture both.

The ISSS values its efforts to support and encourage young scientists. The 14th ISSS Biennial Conference at Sorbonne University in Paris stands out as an excellent example. Through financial support, the society enabled 62 PhD students to attend, offering discounted registration fees and 15 travel grants. These efforts ensure the future of seed science remains bright, with new generations inspired to take up the mantle.

As a global scientific society, the ISSS recognizes its responsibility to contribute to sustainability. We need to be committed to exploring alternative ways for members to connect, including virtual and hybrid meeting formats, to complement in-person gatherings. We will continue to rotate the location of our biennial meetings across different continents, ensuring accessibility for members worldwide and reducing the need for long-distance travel for some. By adopting these practices, we aim to balance the benefits of collaboration and community building with the need to protect our planet for future generations.

Training young scientists remains a cornerstone of our mission, but it is increasingly important to extend our reach beyond traditional academic boundaries. Social media and digital platforms provide opportunities to inspire younger generations about the importance of seeds in agriculture, ecosystems and daily life. Amid growing misinformation, the ISSS plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and collaboration. The transition of our journal

Fichier principal
Vignette du fichier
Barrero_et_al._2024.pdf (153) Télécharger le fichier
Origine Fichiers éditeurs autorisés sur une archive ouverte
licence

Dates et versions

hal-04944882 , version 1 (13-02-2025)

Licence

Identifiants

Citer

Jose Maria Barrero, Julia Buitink, Si‐chong Chen, Edvaldo Aparecido Amaral da Silva, Fiona R Hay, et al.. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the International Society for Seed Science. Seed Science Research, 2025, pp.1 - 8. ⟨10.1017/s0960258525000029⟩. ⟨hal-04944882⟩
0 Consultations
0 Téléchargements

Altmetric

Partager

More