The British Society for Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (BSHI) was formed in 1989 following widespread expression of support for a formal professional body to represent scientists in the field.

The society has a membership of over 300 which includes Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists, Physicians, Surgeons, Researchers and Academics. There are BSHI members in all the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) laboratories in the UK and Ireland and many European laboratories. The BSHI became a company limited by guarantee in 2007 and achieved charitable status in 2008. Since its establishment, the BSHI has enjoyed continuing support and encouragement from the commercial sector. Several companies have joined as corporate BSHI members.

The objectives of the Society are to promote and protect health for the public benefit without prejudice or favour, by:

Developing and maintaining good practice in Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics by ensuring the highest professional standards of competence.

Encouraging the advancement of scientific research and knowledge of its application in all aspects of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, and disseminating the useful results thereof.

This is achieved by:

• Promoting the interests of its membership in clinical and research activity, to maintain the highest standards.
• Co-ordinating and supporting research activity, establishing recognised training and holding meetings.
• Forming Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Working groups to explore areas of particular interest or of rapid research progress.
• Providing nominated representatives to other professional organisations, such as Department of Health working groups, Association of Clinical Scientists, UKAS Medical Laboratory TAC, the Federation of Healthcare Science, the National External Quality Assurance Advisory Panel for Immunology, the Royal College of Pathologists and NHS Blood and Transplant Advisory Groups.
• Working with other professional organisations to establish and maintain appropriate standards within H&I e.g. with the European Federation for Immunogenetics and the British Transplantation Society.
• The Society seeks to work closely with other related professional associations and scientific bodies, especially the British Transplantation Society (BTS).