Chairing the Annals of Botany Company: A New Chapter for UCL Plant Sciences

I’m delighted to share that I’ve recently taken on the role of Chair of the Annals of Botany Company, a not-for-profit organisation that has long been a cornerstone of plant science publishing. It’s an honour to follow Professor Hugh Dickinson (University of Oxford) in this role and to help guide a company that supports some of the most respected titles in our field: Annals of Botany, AoB PLANTS, in silico Plants, BotanyOne, and The Week in Botany. 

For me, this appointment feels like a natural extension of a lifelong commitment to plant sciences-from molecular mechanisms to ecosystems, from leafy greens to bioenergy crops. I’ve always believed that research, collaboration, and communication are inseparable in driving scientific progress. This new role offers a chance to bring those values to a wider community. 

The Annals of Botany Company is more than a publisher. It’s a champion of open-access science, early-career researchers, and inclusive scholarship. At a time when plant sciences are central to tackling climate change, food security, and building a sustainable bioeconomy, I’m excited to help shape the company’s strategic direction. 

This transition also marks a new chapter for UCL. With the chairship moving from Oxford to UCL, three members of the editorial team - Catherine Hyland, Alun Salt, and Kurt Ballastadt -will now be based in our Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment. Their presence will strengthen our publishing infrastructure and deepen our ties to the global plant science community. 

As Dean of Life Sciences, I’m fortunate to work alongside brilliant colleagues across biosciences, neuroscience, pharmacy, and molecular biology. I also hold the Quain Professorship in Plant Sciences at UCL, a position that honours the legacy of Richard Quain, whose vision for scientific education continues to inspire our work today. 

Professor Gail Taylor
Dean, UCL Faculty of Life Sciences