At the time of writing I am nearly 10 months into my first term as president of the Institute of Wood Science (IWSc) and it has proved to be an exciting time. “Change” has been the message and will continue to be the theme.

The following quotation provides us with a simple insight into the future of the Institute: “Science finds, industry applies, man conforms.” (Anonymous: subtitle of guidebook to 1933 Chicago World’s Fair). The Institute is right to be proud of its history, of being the centre of excellence in education for wood science and technology, but now is the time to move on, to reform and modernise. We need to facilitate active development, while reinforcing our high standards, relevance and continuity.

We have been closely examining our relevance and the identity we currently portray to today’s timber and construction industries. The propagation of what we can offer, along with the redefinition of our identity as an essential knowledge and information resource, are central to our development. We are pushing developments in wood and wood science and this kind of innovation is directly relevant for the requirements and demands of the modern construction industry. Wood is the only truly sustainable building material we have, and the knowledge, training and experience that the Institute provides are vital to increasing confidence in specifying and using wood.

I am working in close co-operation with my senior vice-president David Venables, AHEC‘s European director, and junior vice-president Charles Trevor, wood for good‘s managing director. This will make longer term planning for the benefit of both our corporate and individual members not only possible, but achievable.

The responsibility for change cannot be borne alone by the Institute’s knowledge and information base. We are readily engaging with more members, engaging with and encouraging the younger generations of wood scientists and looking to create alliances with like-minded bodies within the timber and construction industries.

To say our future will be challenging is an understatement; but change can be positive.