Harper Adams University professor named president of the Amateur Entomological Society

Posted 30 May 2017

Professor Simon Leather has been named as the new president of the Amateur Entomological Society.

Professor Leather said: “A key part of the society’s offering is the Bug Club, which is aimed to teach five to 15 year olds more about the insects we share the world with.

“There have been a number of notable entomologists who were members of the Bug Club; the junior arm of the society, one being Darren Mann who is now the head of life collections at the Oxford Museum of Natural History.

“I feel very honoured and pleased to have been elected as the next president of the society. Outreach is something that I’m really passionate about. It’s great to have my work recognised and to now be representing a society with such a great programme for young people.

“At first I felt that it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be the president of the society as I’m lucky enough to be a professional entomologist, but my opinion changed when I looked-up the term ‘amateur’ and saw that it meant ‘for the love of’, which definitely still applies to me.”

In his new role, Professor Leather will host the annual members’ day, chair meetings and act as a figure head for the society.