Member feedback contributes to building a strong ASBMB future

The results of the ASBMB member survey are in and we thank the nearly 1,500 members, past members and broader BMB scientists who participated. Conducted every few years, the survey taps into the interests, values and needs of our community and gives members the chance to provide input as the society considers future directions and initiatives.

"This survey helps us understand what matters to the biochemistry and molecular biology community,” Membership Committee chair Rick Page said. “It allows us to shape the society’s programs and services in a way that is attentive to our members’ needs."

Overall, members who responded to the survey were satisfied with their membership, with 85% of respondents saying they are very or somewhat satisfied and 80% planning to remain members. Among the top three reasons for participating with the ASBMB, 38% of members said they do so to connect with peers and colleagues, 36% said it is to access science meetings and events, and 31% seek primarily to stay up to date on scientific developments.

The 2024 survey fielded nearly 1,500 responses, 51% from current members. We want to know what our current members value, and it’s helpful to learn what we could do differently or better from the perspective of those whose membership has expired or who have never been members.

About our respondents

Respondents to the survey hail largely from the U.S., work primarily in academic and medical environments, and report engagement in both research and education.

 

 

 

 

We also asked if the term “biochemist and/or molecular biologist” still accurately reflects respondents’ work. Most said that it did, with 75% reporting it accurately or somewhat accurately describes them, while 25% were less identified with these terms. 

Why respondents belong: Science and community

Asked the highest-level question about ASBMB’s main purpose, respondents were clear: science and community.

 

 

Moreover, the findings reinforce that members find the greatest value in the combination of community building, science content and vital information that ASBMB provides. Rounding out the top three reasons for joining, respondents noted the value of networking and connecting with peers, the scientific events and forums ASBMB creates, and the important updates on field directions, challenges and opportunities.

“(F)or my career, ASBMB has felt like 'my people,'” a member wrote.   

 

 

Respondents also rated highly ASBMB’s information sources such as the society’s three journals and ASBMBToday.

What members think works well

Overall, members gave excellent ratings to ASBMB programs and services.

 

“(T)he Journal of Biological Chemistry is an extremely valuable, society-run journal,” one member wrote in a survey comment, while another mentioned the ASBMB’s “continued support and advocacy for basic science research.”

The three highest areas of ratings were from those who valued ASBMB advocacy activities (97% very good or good); those who have published in a journal, read a journal or receive publications discounts (93%-94% very good or good); and those who have read ASBMB Today, received travel awards, and participated in the IMAGE workshop (90%-93% very good or good).

 

 

Future interests: Conferences, publishing, and other engagement

For members who have not used some ASBMB programs and service recently, presenting and attending at conferences and engaging in ASBMB’s publishing activities topped many lists, while some groups within the membership have unique interests.

 

 

Future priorities: All respondents want more science at the center

Asked what resources and programs they would most like to see in the future, all categories of members overwhelming placed scientific “presentations and discussions with experts” at the top of the list, including 73% of regular members, 87% of early-career members, 83% of graduate students, and 81% of undergraduates. This response spanned members who designated their primary focus as research and those who designated their primary focus on education.

Among their top 10 priorities, members also highlighted a desire for more special interest groups on specific research areas and more training on scientific tools, publishing and management. How might respondents want to receive that information? Early-career members and trainees expressed strong interest in virtual events and regional forums. More than other respondents, graduate students expressed interest in practical industry workshops and training, reflecting the trend of research positions in industry becoming an ever more common career path for young scientists.

 

 

A key takeaway from this year’s survey is that our members are looking for more ways to connect with one another about science, both within their specific areas of research and beyond, and to enjoy the benefits of a vibrant community.

“These data are invaluable for learning what we need to do to make ASBMB a society that welcomes every researcher in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology to a place they can call home and find their community,” Page said.

With this valuable input, ASBMB will continue to advance our field and help our members drive discovery.