Mission and goals

ISRV Mission

ISRV’s charitable mission is the relief of sickness and the preservation of health by promoting the prevention, detection, treatment and control of influenza and other respiratory virus diseases throughout the world.

ISRV exchanges and disseminates information through facilitating the interaction of scientists and public health specialists to promote international collaborative efforts against influenza and other respiratory virus diseases.

The aims of the charitable company are generally achieved by the sharing of information and stimulating interaction between researchers and others regarding influenza and other respiratory virus diseases through a scientific journal, a website, and scientific conferences including the Society’s flagship congress, Options for the Control of Influenza, and a variety of other Special Interest Group (SIG) conferences and activities dependent on specialist knowledge. In recent years the Society has developed an increasing breadth of focus, with the School of Influenza being expanded to include other respiratory viruses, event planning for International Meetings on Respiratory Pathogens (IMRP) and the inclusion prominence of the International Respiratory Syncytial Virus Society (IRSVS) as a SIG with RSV conferences planned every two years. A rolling programme of events is essential to meeting the Society’s objectives, whereby scientists and clinicians can share the latest research and clinical applications in the treatment and prevention of influenza and other respiratory virus diseases and to raise awareness among policy-makers.

Another of ISIRV’s charitable aims is to provide financial support to enable early career scientists and scientists from developing countries to attend ISIRV meetings and other respiratory virus-related conferences, who otherwise could not afford to do so. The Society continues to look at ways to increase this type of support, including recognition awards for early career scientists and setting up designated funds for this purpose.

ISRV is a membership organization, and individuals can join and become involved in society activities, benefit from reduced event and journal publication fees, and to attend an Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Our strategy

During September 2023, Council attention was given to revising ISRV’s current five-year strategic plan (2022-2026) for the Society to help guide the development and growth of the Society and provide a focus for prioritisation of activities over the next three years. Partnership development and collaboration with other professional societies and groups was considered an important area to develop further

The revised Strategic Plan serves as a post-COVID19 pandemic roadmap for the Society for the period (2024-2026). It outlines four overarching strategic goals to accomplish ISRV’s mission, elevate ISRV’s international profile and outreach, provide a framework for succession planning and ensure that the Society continues to remain relevant and provide value to the scientific community.

Overarching Strategic Goals

  1. Update and enhance governance, organizational and business structures
  2. Expand and enhance publicity and communication abilities, including website
  3. Coordinate scientific meetings organization and promote recognition of scientific excellence
  4. Improve membership experience and educational outreach to young investigators

Public benefit statement

ISRV’s charitable purposes are to facilitate the relief of sickness and the preservation of health by promoting the prevention, detection, treatment and control of influenza and other respiratory virus diseases throughout the world. From April 2023 to March 2024 the Society has carried out its objectives by convening conferences and schools, hosting webinars free to all, and the publication of its society journal Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, alongside the provision of grants and bursaries for attendance at ISIRV events. The Trustees of ISRV confirm they have given regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning its activities and when preparing this report.

As a charity, ISRV undertakes charitable activities in a number of specific areas to fulfil its objects for the public benefit.

How we meet our Goals

Options Conference

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Other Scientific Meetings

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Special Interest Groups

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Grant making activities

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Training Events

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IRV Journal

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