In the spring edition of Immunology News, you can hear from our new President, Professor Tracy Hussell, on how she will work with our wonderful committees and membership to keep the Society going from strength to strength over the next four years. You can help shape this crucial work by standing for one of the positions on our committees and electing your representatives – take a look at the dates in the article.

Another important date for your calendar is 20 April: our first event for our community to come together to discuss and celebrate the impact of our field with a day full of networking and the BSI Immunology Awards Ceremony (www.immunology.org/transforming-immunology). You can also read about the upcoming 'Inflammation at barrier sites' meeting as part of our busy Regional & Affinity Group events programme, and discover our popular bioinformatics training.

Additionally you can find a piece to honour the late Professor Avrion Mitchison, a pioneer in the field and one of the Society’s founding members, through recollections from his colleagues and peers.