Strategic Plan

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How the Plan Was Developed

The SOT Strategic Plan was developed by SOT Council after consulting the results of member surveys and interviews, as well as focus group discussions. Members from all career stages were involved in the surveys, interviews, and discussions, and all provided valuable feedback. The 2024–2027 Strategic Plan is meant to capture the priorities and objectives that will be the Society’s main focus over the next three to five years.

View Strategic Plan Fact Sheet

The Central Challenge

Enhance the Scientific Influence of Toxicology

Foundational Priority

Foster a Welcoming, Diverse, Inclusive Culture

This priority will be considered and incorporated into all the other Strategic Plan priorities and objectives.

The Strategic Plan Explained

In this video, SOT Council members review the key components of the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan and provide more detailed descriptions of the priorities and objectives.

Strategic Priorities and Corresponding Objectives

Strategic priorities identify the most important things the Society needs to accomplish to meet the central challenge, while the objectives describe the critical actions that will be taken to achieve each strategic priority.

An individual is working in a scientific lab and is wearing a white protective suit and face mask.

Priority No. 1

Advance Scientific Excellence

  1. Proactively pursue impactful scientific content.
  2. Support the development and application of tools that advance toxicology.
  3. Effectively communicate scientific advances.
  4. Foster connectivity across scientific disciplines.
Two individuals are wearing lab coats. One is seated in front of a computer with their fingers on the keyboard. The other individual is standing next to the seated individual and is pointing at something on the computer monitor.

Priority No. 2

Build a Diverse Community of Skilled Toxicologists

  1. Develop a talent pool of toxicologists for the future.
  2. Provide training and education that reflects the needs of members.
  3. Provide mentoring and networking opportunities for all career levels.
  4. Enhance member recognition and visibility at all levels.
In this illustrated image, in the background is a portion of a world map with the continents designated by a series of bright white dots. In the foreground is a combination of lines and circles with people silhouettes, implying a network. The index finger of a hand is touching one of the circles as though it is pressing a button.

Priority No. 3

Strengthen Communication and Organizational Effectiveness

  1. Enhance awareness and utilization of SOT communications and resources.
  2. Support the success of Component Groups.
  3. Leverage member expertise and connections to address human and environmental health concerns.
  4. Pursue strategies for long-term SOT sustainability.

Strategic Plan Archive

The SOT Council developed a strategic plan that focuses on meeting the challenge of strengthening SOT's Impact on Science and Public/Environmental Health. The strategy focuses on optimizing the contributions that the Society and its members make on these. The SOT strategy takes advantage of feedback from multiple stakeholders including individual interviews, multiple small focus group discussions, as well as a stratified random survey that was sent to 2,000 members of the Society. Aspects of this plan are an extension of the successful work undertaken in prior strategic plans and emphasizes the importance of continuing and evolving these efforts.

Importantly, the new strategy does not supplant the core functions of the Society—providing forums for scientific exchange, member services and education. It is, however, intended to enhance them in a way that is consistent with SOT's mission, vision, and guiding values. The overlap in initiatives within the four strategic objectives was intentional as a method for emphasizing the importance of these concepts. Council welcomes your comments. Please send your comments and suggestions to SOT Headquarters.

Vision/Mission

The Society of Toxicology is the leading organization dedicated to creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science and increasing the impact of toxicology.

Guiding Values

The Society of Toxicology is a professional, scientific society dedicated to:

  • Serving the needs of the scientific discipline and our members to enhance human, animal, and environmental health;
  • Life-long learning and Intellectual scientific stimulation;
  • Diversity of representation in all activities of the Society; and
  • Integrity.

SOT is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all of its activities. We assert that diversity and inclusiveness include many factors, such as gender, race/ethnicity, employment sector, nationality, geographic location, physical ability, and scientific expertise and perspective. Embracing diversity and optimizing inclusion maximizes the range of creativity and innovation in our Society and our science.

Strategic Priorities and Objectives

  1. Maximize SOT’s Prominence within the Scientific Community
    1. Promote Transdisciplinary Science & Cooperation with Other Disciplines
    2. Implement Forward-Looking Strategy for Meetings and Continuing Education
    3. Implement Forward-Looking Strategy for Publications and Issue Statements
    4. Expand Global Outreach, Engagement, and Collaboration

  2. Build the Capabilities and Effectiveness of SOT Membership
    1. Develop a Robust Pool of Scientists Engaged in Toxicology
    2. Provide Opportunities to Capitalize on Scientific Advancements
    3. Develop Leadership and Communication Skills among Members
    4. Facilitate Career Development Using Mentoring and Other Approaches

  3. Increase SOT's Influence through Science Communication
    1. Develop and Implement Strategy for Communication and Engagement
    2. Develop Communication Partnerships with Key Influencers
    3. Promote Use of Science in Decision Making
    4. Increase Engagement Using Audience-Specific Communication Technologies

  4. Strengthen Organizational Effectiveness and Sustainability
    1. Develop and Implement Process to Set Long-term Strategic Direction
    2. Optimize Organizational Efficiency
    3. Improve Internal Communication Using State-of-the-Art Approaches
    4. Enhance Engagement of Our Diverse, Global Membership