About Us

Who We Are

The Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) was founded in 1967 to promote the study of reproduction by fostering interdisciplinary communication among scientists, holding conferences, and publishing meritorious studies. Today, our members come from 50 countries around the world.

Statement from SSR on Women’s Rights to Health Care

We are a global society dedicated to advancing the science of fertility and reproductive health for the benefit of humans and animals. The Society for the Study of Reproduction opposes limitations to a woman’s basic right to health care and stands in strong support for the right of all women to control their reproductive decisions in accord with their personal beliefs.

Mission

Advance the Science of Reproduction, Fertility, and Development for the Benefit of Humans and Animals

Vision

A Sustainable World Through the Science of Reproduction, Fertility, and Development


SSR Strategic Plan

Members

The Society is an association of scientists and physicians interested in research in reproduction. Some members are engaged in basic or applied research, while others perform clinical practice. All are dedicated to advancing knowledge of reproductive processes in animals and in humans.

Members are affiliated with colleges and universities, medical and veterinary schools, medical centers, research institutes, government agencies, and industry in countries around the world.

SSR members have made key contributions to stem cell biology, transgenesis, treatment of infertility, contraception, livestock production, pregnancy health, treatment of reproductive system cancers, and identification of environmental contaminants.

Our members are internationally recognized. They include members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and recipients of the Lasker Award, the Wolf Prize, the Grand Prix Charles-Leopold Mayer, and the International Prize for Biology.

Activities

Learn More About FASEB

History

Visit our history page for historical photos from the SSR archives.

Our History

SSR Annual Meeting

Attendees at the Opening Reception of the 2014 SSR Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Attendees at the Opening Reception of the 2014 SSR Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

SSR provides its members many such opportunities for networking with colleagues in an inviting environment.

Code of Conduct Policy

The Society for the Study of Reproduction prohibits discrimination, bullying and all forms of harassment including any kind of sexual, gender, disability, racial, ethnic or other type of harassment. SSR is committed to providing a meeting environment in which all individuals are welcomed, are treated with respect and dignity, and are free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. All attendees of the SSR annual meeting are expected to adhere to this code of conduct policy, failure to do so will not be tolerated.

Reporting Harassment

If you experience or witness any form of harassment or violation of this code of conduct, please immediately report it to the SSR President. This incident report will be immediately (within 4 hours) reported to the SSR President and shared with the Executive Council (comprised of the SSR President, Past President, Vice-President, Vice-President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer). The names of all individuals involved will remain confidential within the group of 6 Executive Officers at all times. The Executive Council will meet, document allegations, and determine how to respond based on guidelines from the HHS Office for Civil Rights. Response will also be documented and will include a notification of the unacceptable behavior to the individual, with specific instructions to cease activity, and or in certain cases, may include asking the offending party to leave the conference. SSR will not permit or condone any acts of retaliation against those who have filed or corroborated a reported offense, such actions will dictate the offending party be dismissed from the conference immediately.

In addition or as an alternative to contacting the SSR staff and Executive Council, anyone with questions or complaints related to harassment are encouraged to visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) website here, Filing a Civil Rights Complaint. Filing a complaint with the conference organizer is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and seeking assistance from the conference organizer in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR.

Testimonials

"I have loved the openness and non-elitism of this society. I was its first female president in 1974, and I have been followed as president by many other women. Not surprisingly, the Society has also welcomed trainees, giving them travel awards and prizes for excellent papers and places on the governing board. The annual SSR meeting was always the favorite yearly science event for me and my trainees."

— Neena Schwartz, Ph.D.
SSR President, 1977–1978

"The Society nurtures and supports young scientists and research trainees by giving them unparalleled opportunities to present their work and interact with the best scientists in the world that focus on solving important problems in reproduction. The scientific research conducted by the members of SSR is outstanding and unequivocally necessary to improve reproductive health and welfare of animals and humans."

— Thomas E. Spencer, Ph.D.
SSR Member