News from the Academy

NOBEL PRIZE LAUREATE IS HIGHLIGHT OF ACADEMY SPRING PROGRAMME

Mario Vargas Llosa, one of the world’s greatest contemporary novelists, will speak at the British Academy in June as part of its spring programme of events - which include exploring literature from Dickens to Greek myths, and issues from Scottish devolution to climate change. The acclaimed writer, politician and journalist, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010, will discuss his latest novel, The Dream of the Celt, to coincide with its publication in June. The themes in the programme reflect the breadth of the humanities and social sciences and their role in addressing current issues.

Read more about the Spring 2012 Programme

27 January 2012

BRITISH ACADEMY CONFERENCES IN 2013

The British Academy is currently inviting proposals for its 2013 conference programme. This presents an exceptional opportunity for UK scholars who can demonstrate academic leadership and vision to run a landmark conference featuring leading-edge research as part of the Academy’s events programme. The closing date for proposals is 24 February 2012.
Further information, including a link to the appropriate proposal form.

 23 January 2012

WHY A FREE INTERNET MATTERS TO US ALL

In the aftermath of Wikipedia’s day of protest  on 18 January, when it closed for 24 hours to protest against proposed ‘anti-piracy’ legislation in the US, Professor Ian Christie FBA gives his views on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), and explains why a free internet matters to us all. Read the full article.

This is the first in a new series of online opinion pieces by Fellows of the British Academy.

20 January 2012

BRITISH ACADEMY AND LEVERHULME TRUST ANNOUNCE MAJOR NEW INVESTMENT IN HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

The British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust have announced a major new collaboration to support the award of Small Research Grants across the Humanities and Social Sciences. The Academy announced last year that its Small Research Grants scheme (SRGs) had been resumed with the agreement of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, although with more restricted funding than in the past. Today, in a significant new development, the Leverhulme Trust has confirmed a grant of £1.5 million over 3 years to support the scheme which will continue to be administered by the Academy.

Read more

18 January 2012

BRITISH DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS

British democracy is in crisis with almost three quarters of the electorate dissatisfied with Parliament and cynical about politicians, says a new report Building a new politics? published by the British Academy.

The report’s author, Professor of Politics and Governance at the University of Southampton, Gerry Stoker, says the majority of the electorate feel they have no influence over the way the country is run and criticises the Coalition’s reform plans as inadequate.

He explains: ‘In the late 1950s, almost three quarters of British citizens felt that national decisions were within their span of influence, but today’s electorate feel powerless and mistrustful of the people who represent them. The reform agenda favoured by the coalition government is extensive but, as it stands, it is unlikely to resolve the issue of public disenchantment and disengagement from politics. It’s not radical enough and not focussed enough on the factors that are driving anti-political sentiment.’

Read more

12 January 2012

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANDATORY STUDY UP TO GCSE

The British Academy welcomes reports that Education Secretary Michael Gove is supportive of proposals that history, geography and foreign language study become mandatory in England up to GCSE level. The proposals were made by an expert panel he established to review the National Curriculum.  This is something for which the Academy has argued for a considerable period of time, particularly in relation to foreign language study.

21 December 2011

BRITISH ECONOMY IS REAL CASUALTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE DECLINE

The British Academy has launched its Schools Language Awards, aimed at secondary schools in the UK. It promotes language learning and teaching.

Sunetra Sarker, who plays Dr Zoe Hanna in the long-running BBC medical drama Casualty, is supporting the initiative which will recognise innovative language teaching with prizes of £4,000 to schools across the UK.

The British Academy has warned of the impact of the decline of foreign language learning on the UK economy and the research community.  Sunetra spoke to John Darvall (pictured) at BBC Radio Bristol.

13 December 2011