Biomedical laboratory Science: an international perspective

The International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) is an independent non-governmental association of national societies in 35 countries. It represents more than 200,000 biomedical laboratory scientists and technologists worldwide and has a global responsibility to support, advance and promote good scientific laboratory practice and education, underpinned by ethical and professional values.

            I was elected IFBLS President in September 2020, together with the new President-Elect, Marie Culliton, and five other Board Directors. It was at a virtual meeting of Chief Delegates and Member Association representatives, replacing the scheduled meetings at the World Congress that was due to be held in Copenhagen.

            Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, it provided an opportunity, together with the General Assembly of Delegates held the week before, to come together and reflect on the activities of the Board during the previous year, and receive reports from Chief Delegates on the priorities for their member associations. Normally, work with the new Board would start the next day: induction, assigning directors to committees, reviewing the meetings and identify strategic priorities for the coming year. My presidency was going to be similar but by necessity, different, and so began with a virtual meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) one week later.