The British Section of IESF is a friendly society of over 100 engineers, technologists and scientists, as well as members from other professions, founded in 1919. We meet for high-quality lectures, technical visits and voyages, and we enjoy French culture and cuisine along the way. New members are always welcome, including early-career professionals through our Associate membership.
Come to a lecture as our guest
The best way to get to know us is to come along. Guests can attend our lectures free of charge, and are welcome to stay for the drinks reception or dinner afterwards at the guest price shown on each event.
Why join?
- Lectures and dinners. Evening lectures by leading engineers and scientists on a wide range of subjects, usually followed by dinner at a London club or the Institution of Civil Engineers.
- Voyages. Normally two voyages a year of three or four days, often to France, visiting major engineering projects, technical sites and cultural highlights.
- UK visits and President’s Day. Day visits to technical and historic sites around the country.
- Newsletter and members’ area. Our newsletter, event reports, and Society papers in the members’ section of this website.
- A link with France. Membership of the British Section of Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France, which represents more than a million engineers and scientists.
- Good company. A small, sociable society where you can bring guests and get to know fellow members from many disciplines.
How to join
- Come as a guest. Book a place at one of our upcoming lectures and meet some of our members.
- Talk to us. Email our Membership Secretary, Andrew Young, at mem.secretary@iesf.co.uk. Don’t know any members yet? That’s fine. We will find members to sponsor your application.
- Apply. Send us the application form below with a one-page CV. Full Members are sponsored by two members and Associate Members by one Full Member. Council approves applications at its meetings, and once you are elected and have paid the subscription you are a member.
Membership categories
Full membership: £64 a year
Full Members come from the engineering, technological and scientific professions, as well as from other professions and disciplines. Chartered Status, or similar professional standing, is required. Applications are sponsored by two members and approved by the Council of the British Section.
Prospective members usually have an appreciation of engineering or scientific achievement, good food and company, and perhaps more than a sneaking respect for the “Grand Projects” of our colleagues across the Channel.
Associate membership: £32 a year
The IESF (British Section) welcomes applications for membership from young engineers, junior technologists and junior scientists, as well as those from other professions and disciplines, who have not yet achieved Chartered Status or the equivalent. The subscription is half the Full Member rate, and applications need to be sponsored by one Full Member.
The benefits of Associate membership are being updated. Please contact the Membership Secretary for details.
Les Amis de la Section Britannique: £48 a year
On the death of a member, their spouse or partner is invited by the Council to become a “Friend of the British Section”, should they so wish. Council may also invite other non-members with a long association with the Society. Friends are invited to all meetings, dinners, visits and voyages alongside members, at the same event prices as members and their guests.
Application form
Please complete the form and send it, with a one-page CV, to mem.secretary@iesf.co.uk.
How we use your information
We use the details in your enquiry or application only to deal with your membership. Applications are shared with Council members for approval and deleted by them within two weeks. We do not pass your personal details to IESF France; we tell them only how many members we have. See our Privacy Policy for more.