Proposals for British Academy events

2. Seminars addressing topical policy issues and matters of current public debate

Such events should seek to bring to bear scholarly insights on matters of public concern, topical debate and public policy, and to promote dialogue between academic and non-academic specialists. Events should represent a contribution to a national (or international) dialogue.

For focused discussions between specialists, the principal vehicle is the British Academy Forum.

British Academy Forums are closed seminars, at which senior academics, politicians, policy makers, civil servants and other practitioners can engage in frank, informed debate – without the point scoring.
Character: roundtable discussion by 10-35 specialist participants, cued by a very small number of short presentations.
Timing: typically a lunchtime session (e.g. 12.30-2.00 pm, preceded by a light lunch), or an evening meeting (e.g. 5.30-9.00 pm, with a light supper in the middle); possibly a breakfast meeting (e.g. 8.00-9.30 am, with breakfast served during the discussion).

British Academy Forums may be derived from a wide range of the Academy’s disciplines, and may include topical debates on political, economic, social, cultural or ethical issues. And they may be held in collaboration with appropriate partner organisations, to enhance their impact.

Each British Academy Forum should have an intended output which seeks to be a contribution to public policy/debate. Typically, Forums are held under Chatham House rules, but a recording of the event will be made, as a source for subsequent outputs. It is presumed that each Forum will lead to an article in the British Academy Review. Other types of possible output include: a summary report, or a statement of the principal findings; a transcript of the discussion cleared with the participants. (Some Forums will contribute to outputs from the British Academy Policy Centre.)

The Academy welcomes preliminary proposals for British Academy Forums.

A preliminary proposal must contain the following:

1. Name and affiliation of proposer
2. Draft title of British Academy Forum
3. The purpose and significance of the Forum, indicating its particular timeliness and relevance to public policy/debate
4. Preferred date (or range of dates)
5. Appropriate format – e.g. lunchtime discussion or longer evening workshop (if a longer format is required, please explain why)
6. The proposer’s own intended role(s) – i.e. convenor, chairman, a lead participant
7. Other principal participants – chairman, lead participant(s)
8. Other key participants – indicative list of senior academics and (e.g.) politicians, civil servants, journalists
9. Name of any appropriate collaborating partner body, with an indication of the particular assistance they would be able to bring
10. Intended output

Preliminary proposals should be emailed to James Rivington, Head of Publications and Events Development (j.rivington@britac.ac.uk).

List of past British Academy Forums