The BAA-VSS was formed in 1890, the year the BAA was founded, with the aim of collecting and analysing observations of variable stars. The Section is run by a small group of Officers who deal with various aspects separately but meet at intervals to discuss and decide future plans and policy. Feedback to members is through the VSS Circulars published four times a year and through the BAA Journal.

Some section data up to 1934 was published as BAA Memoirs in the first half of the 20th century. Most records from 1890 to 1990 were kept as hand-written original reports and chronological lists. Recent section directors have initiated and supported the computerisation project and have gained finance and equipment from professional sources. Here is the list of directors from 1891 to the present.

As well as helping to monitor the activity of hundreds of variables and produce their light curves, the database enables the section to supply records to professional and amateur astronomers for analysis. Papers are published in the BAA Journal, the VSS Circulars and elsewhere.