Aims & History

The BAP Office in Cambridge
The BAP Office in Cambridge

The BAP was founded in 1974, with the general intention of bringing together those from clinical and experimental disciplines as well as members of the pharmaceutical industry involved in the study of psychopharmacology. To this end the Association arranges scientific meetings, fosters research and teaching, encourages publication of results of research and provides guidance and information to the public on matters relevant to psychopharmacology, where appropriate

The BAP organises scientific meetings and symposia during the course of the year, covering all aspects of psychopharmacology from basic research to pharmaceutical development and clinical application. The Association has produced a range of consensus statements on the treatment of clinical disorders as well as on the investigation of psychopharmaceutical compounds.

The BAP has an extensive educational portfolio. Now in its fifteenth year, the Certificate in Clinical Psychopharmacology provides up-to-date CPD and consists of three Core modules held each year: Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders. Specialist, optional modules include Substance Misuse, Drug Treatments in Old Age Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.

The BAP launched the Preclinical Certificate in Psychopharmacology in July 2001. The aim of this Course is to increase awareness of, expertise and interest in, preclinical psychopharmacology through the provision of a series of training modules that cover key aspects of research on animals and humans as well as career development.

In September 2006 the BAP organised an Experimental Psychopharmacology Summer School in collaboration with Institute of Neuroscience, University of Nottingham. The Summer School built upon the success of the Preclinical Certificate in Psychopharmacology. The 5-day course comprised interactive lectures and workshops which covered key aspects of experimental psychopharmacology. Topics included: appraisals of basic experimental protocols; optimizing experimental design and data analysis; recent research findings/techniques; and prospects for novel experimental approaches in the future.

Twice yearly the BAP runs its 3 day ‘Masterclasses’ in central London. These immensely popular courses update practising healthcare professionals on current issues in psychopharmacology. The Masterclasses are taught by preclinical and clinical psychopharmacologists from Universities around the United Kingdom.

The BAP is one of the largest national psychopharmacology associations in the world.

  2012 Summer Meeting Details Latest Press Releases

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  1. Preclinical Certificate Module 3: Experimental Design 1: Statistics and Experimental Design on 4th January 2012
    registration is now open click here for further information
  2. Congratulations to Professor Trevor Robbins on 3rd January 2012
    Professor Trevor Robbins President of BAP 1996-1998, was awarded Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to medical research in the New Year Honours List. Click here for more information about Professor Robbins Professor Robbins
  3. 2011 BAP Summer Meeting Plenary Session entitled “Mental Health, Neuroscience and the Wellbeing of S on 26th August 2011
    A special Plenary Session was held at the recent British Association for Psychopharmacology summer meeting 2011 entitled “Mental Health, Neuroscience and the Wellbeing of Society.” The participants were international leaders in the field of mental health, neuroscience and the wellbeing of society. The BAP was very fortunate to have not only a group of eminent speakers, but also leaders with vision for important new developments in the field. The audience feedback indicated that the talks were outstanding and there was a very high quality of discussion. As a tribute to the excellence of the speakers the audience filled the room and there was standing room only. Due to the importance of the participants’ talks and the demand by the Members of the BAP we have made these recordings available. Click here to access the menu 2011 BAP Summer Meeting Plenary Session

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