Reporter 29/1/03: Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Professorship of Plant Systematics and Evolution

Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Professorship of Plant Systematics and Evolution

The GENERAL BOARD beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. Enormous effort is being expended worldwide in describing, understanding, and conserving biodiversity at a time when a human-induced loss of habitats and species-rich ecosystems is leading to the extinction of species. Plants are central to all efforts in this area. Although they represent only 10% of species, their ability to gather and utilize the energy in sunlight means they account for 90% of the biomass. They therefore create the essential environment framework for all habitats, without which the survival of other species is impossible. In addition, since humans exploit plants for foods, fibres, pharmaceuticals, and other materials, the sustenance and utilization of the genetic diversity of plants is fundamental to the long-term maintenance of agriculture and the human environment.

2. The systematic classification of plants provides an essential underpinning to studies of biodiversity and is key to an understanding of how plants evolved and diversified, and were domesticated. A robust phylogeny of plants based on DNA sequences is now emerging which can be expected to direct comparative approaches in all disciplines of plant biology for the rest of the twenty-first century. It will, for example, provide a firm basis for investigating development, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry in their evolutionary contexts.

3. A massive upturn in interest in systematics worldwide has occurred in recent years, largely driven from the USA. While this has not yet been matched by an equivalent resurgence in Europe, Cambridge is in a strong position to be a major contributor to research and teaching in plant systematics and evolution, provided that the University can establish its credentials in this area.

4. The Department of Plant Sciences has a history of excellence in studies of plant taxonomy, vegetational history, and ecology, all of which underpin plant systematics. It also possesses unique resources in the internationally significant collections housed in the University's Botanic Garden and Herbarium. The Department's present strengths lie in molecular biology, physiology, ecology, developmental biology, cytogenetics, and conservation. However, these strengths are not evident at present in the fields of plant systematics and evolution. The Department of Plant Sciences has accordingly advised the General Board that a senior appointment, at this stage, would strengthen the quality of research and teaching in these areas. In addition, it would provide an opportunity to establish a new focus for research at the Botanic Garden and the Herbarium and would increase the opportunities for interaction with the range of expertise available within the Department, within other Departments in the School of the Biological Sciences, and within the University at large.

5. The person appointed would be expected to provide leadership for research and teaching and to exploit all opportunities to ensure that the University becomes a leading international centre in this significant academic area. It is also anticipated that the person appointed would also become the Curator of the Herbarium.

6. An opportunity to make such an appointment has arisen through the retirement on 30 September 2001 of Dr D. Briggs, Curator of the University Herbarium, and University Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences. In order to meet the cost of the Professorship, the Faculty Board of Biology have proposed that Dr Briggs's University Lectureship be suppressed and that the shortfall in costs be met through the permanent suppression of a technical post in the Department of Plant Sciences. The General Board have accepted the Faculty Board's proposal for the establishment of the Professorship on this basis. They have accordingly agreed that, if the recommendations of this Report are approved, they will suppress the University Lectureship mentioned above.

7. The Board are satisfied that an appointment at this level will be likely to attract a strong field of well-qualified candidates. They are assured that suitable accommodation for the Professor is available and that the Department will provide the necessary support and facilities in the Cory Laboratory at the Botanic Garden. The Board have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board of Biology that election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors and that candidature should be open, in the first instance, without preference or limitation to all persons whose work falls within the title of the office.

8. The General Board recommend:

That a Professorship of Plant Systematics and Evolution be established in the University from 1 June 2003, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes and assigned to the Department of Plant Sciences.

22 January 2003 ALEC N. BROERS, Vice-Chancellor KATIE CHILDS D. MACDONALD

MARTIN BOBROW ANDREW CLIFF KATE PRETTY

N. O. A. BULLOCK M. J. DAUNTON M. SCHOFIELD

H. A. CHASE S. LEATON GRAY S. J. YOUNG

Table of Contents

22 January 2003	ALEC N. BROERS, Vice-Chancellor	KATIE CHILDS	D. MACDONALD
	MARTIN BOBROW	ANDREW CLIFF	KATE PRETTY
	N. O. A. BULLOCK	M. J. DAUNTON	M. SCHOFIELD
	H. A. CHASE	S. LEATON GRAY	S. J. YOUNG