The Lancefield Society
About us
The Lancefield Society is an international association that brings together professionals in the field of streptococci and streptococcal diseases to raise awareness, promote scientific collaboration and research, and improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
The Lancefield Society is not-for-profit and non-governmental. While it has its administrative headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, the Society is international in its scope, thinking and membership.
The main activity of the Lancefield Society is the triennial Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptoccocal Diseases (LISSSD), the premier event for clinicians, scientists and students engaged in the field of streptococci and streptococcal diseases research.
History
The Lancefield Society was officially formed in 2019 in response to calls from the streptococcal research community for a body to represent streptococcal research internationally and to coordinate the triennial Lancefield symposia and any activities between.
A unanimous vote was held to proceed with the formation of the Lancefield Society by the International Scientific Committee of the 20th Lancefield International Symposium, 2017.
In forming the Lancefield Society, we recognise the pioneers of streptococcal research, most notably Rebecca Lancefield. We thank the Rockefeller University for generously permitting the use of Rebecca Lancefield’s name in the title of the Society. There is a proud history of 20 triennial Lancefield International Symposia stretching over 60 years, beginning with the inaugural Symposium in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1960.
Vision and Objectives of the Lancefield Society
The overall vision for the Lancefield Society is to improve knowledge and understanding of streptococcal biology, pathogenesis, immunology and epidemiology, and to improve prevention and treatment of streptococcal diseases.
The current specific objectives of the Lancefield Society are: To maximise the quality and scientific impact of Lancefield Symposia
To support the local organisers of Lancefield Symposia
To be a decision-making body between Lancefield Symposia
To provide international leadership by:
promoting scientific communication and collaboration within the streptococcal community;
promoting other symposia and educational activities relevant to the field; and
promoting public awareness of streptococcal diseases.
Scope of the
Lancefield Society
The Lancefield Society is a forward-looking society that aims to provide a network and forum to advance high quality research in streptococci and streptococcal diseases. Many members of the genus Streptococcus are pathogens responsible for a wide range of disease in humans and animals. While the greatest emphasis of the Lancefield Society is on the group A Streptococcus, the spectrum of streptococci under the purview of the Society include the group B Streptococcus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, non-pyogenic streptococci including the oral streptococci, Streptococcus suis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Lancefield Society recognises the leading role that the International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases plays in relation to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Many disciplines in the streptococcal field are represented within the Lancefield Society, ranging from disciplines in streptococcal biology, pathogenesis, immunology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, vaccinology and treatment. The Lancefield Society welcomes a diverse range of experts.