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Fellowship & Service Awards

Fellowship & Service Awards2025-01-29T10:11:28+01:00

BIOS Fellowships and Service Awards recognise exceptional service to the profession and the Society. These are awarded to recipients as part of our Annual Awards.

*Starting in 2025, BIOS also give out a series of awards to celebrate achievement across orthoptics during the previous year. You can find out how to nominate for these awards here.

Criteria for Nominations/Award being given

Nominees/award winners should be persons who have rendered exceptional service to the Society or the profession of Orthoptics, for example as:

  • an Honorary officer, member of council /a trustee, representative of the society/profession, EPDC committee member
  • in another role, like a CAG lead
  • an ambassador for the profession
  • someone from another profession (e.g. another Allied Health Profession) who has helped further the development of orthoptics.

Service awards are automatically bestowed for Trustees, Council members and CAG leads, as they come to the end of their term of office. Individuals can also be nominated for exceptional service.

Who can be nominated for an award?

Nominees should be:

  • Orthoptists who are members of BIOS
  • Other professionals who have consistently acted in a role as ambassador for the profession and practice of Orthoptics, e.g. like other AHPs
  • Awards may be given posthumously within 5 years of the recipient passing away

This is the highest honour that the British & Irish Orthoptic Society can bestow upon an individual for their services to the profession of orthoptics.

Criteria for Nominations

Nominees for the election of Honorary Fellows of the Society should be persons who:

  • Have rendered exceptional service to the Society or the profession of Orthoptics, for example as:
    • an Honorary officer
    • member of council /a trustee
    • representative of the society/profession
    • various roles including the above
    • an ambassador for the profession
    • someone from another profession (e.g. another Allied Health Profession) who has helped further the development of orthoptics
  • Have rendered exceptional service to the science, study or practice of Orthoptics

Who can be nominated for an award?

Nominees should be:

  • Orthoptists who are members of BIOS
  • Other professionals who have consistently acted in a role as ambassador for the profession and practice of Orthoptics, e.g. like other AHPs
  • Awards may be given posthumously within 5 years of the recipient passing away

Nomination Process

The nomination process for both Service Awards and Fellowships is very similar.

  • Nominations can be made by any member of BIOS, using the nomination form, to their Regional or National Trustee or via the BOSTU General Secretary.
    • All nominations should be seconded by a member of the Board of Trustees, Council, or the BOSTU Executive Board.
    • A CV or description highlighting the work undertaken should accompany the nomination.
  • The Trustee/General Secretary should consider nominations and submit these at one of the scheduled Trustee meetings for presentation at a subsequent AGM or Conference or regional clinical meeting.
  • BIOS Board of Trustees will consider nominations on a yearly basis but may not make awards every year.
  • Where the voting for the award is not unanimous, a show of hands by voting Trustees will take place and the Honorary Chair will have a casting vote.

The Honorary Chair of BIOS will write to inform recipients of their award and will invite them accept their award at a ceremony on the day of the BIOS AGM or Conference in that year, whichever is deemed most appropriate.

Expenses for award winners (and partners) will be paid by BIOS.