Association of Applied Biologists
organization
The Association of Applied Biologists (AAB) is a United Kingdom biological science learned society. From its foundation in 1904 until 1934, the institution was the Association of Economic Biologists. It publishes research and holds conferences in different specialisms of applied biology.
History
The AAB was founded in 1904 as the Association of Economic Biologists for workers in applied biology "to discuss new discoveries, to exchange experiences and carefully consider the best methods of work" and "promote and advance the science of Economic Biology in its agricultural, horticultural, medical and commercial aspects." "Within 10 years of its foundation, the association became the recognised society for all British workers interested in applied biology. Since then, the association has steadily expanded its knowledge." In 1934, the current title of Association of Applied Biologists was adopted. With some 900 members from a wide range of specialisms in the UK and overseas, "it has developed a portfolio of scientific publications and annual conference programme to achieve its objectives and promote the subject of applied biology."
The AAB organises conferences with universities specialising in agriculture and other aspects of applied biology, these have included Aberystwyth, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Illinois. It has working relationships with research institutes in agriculture, such as James Hutton Institute, the John Innes Centre and the Rothamsted Experimental Station. Papers published by the AAB are cited by governmental departments including Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Food and Environment Research Agency, Scottish Agricultural Science Agency and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Aims
The aims of the AAB are "To promote the study and advancement of all branches of Biology and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing), to foster the practice, growth and development of applied biology, including the application of biological sciences for the production and preservation of food, fibre and other materials and for the maintenance and improvement of earth's physical environment."
Management
Specialist groups
The AAB caters for specialist interests in applied biology through its group structure.
Applied Plant Pathology
Applied Tree and Forest Biology
Biological Control and Integrated Pest Management
Cropping and the Environment
Food Systems
Horticultural Quality and Food Loss
Nematology
Pesticide Application
PlantEd: Genome Editing in Plants
Plant Physiology and Crop Improvement
Soil and Root Biology
Virology
Each group has a convenor who organises meetings of the group members, drawn from industry, research organisations and academia, to plan future conferences and other activities.
The public source identifies “Association of Applied Biologists” as organization. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Association, Applied and Biologists.
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The record creator and administrative purpose are central evidence, because official documentation reflects both action and institutional priorities. The source revision retrieved here is dated Apr 13, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q4809620. VIAF identifies the subject as 149514504. The Library of Congress control number is n78046838. 2 of 3 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1904 and 1934.
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This entry incorporates text from “Association of Applied Biologists” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.