British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Evolving Societies: A showcase of overseas research into community, identity and environment
The British Academy held a highly successful conference entitled ‘Evolving Societies’ at the Barbican Centre, London on 15 November to showcase the work of its sponsored overseas institutes and societies. Professor Michael Fulford FBA, chair of the Academy committee that manages this programme of sponsorship, explained that the day provided an introduction to the sponsored organisations’ research agendas and findings, the opportunities they can offer to British researchers, and a chance to meet their key players. “The four themes around which we organised the day - environmental change; human migrations; nations, states and identities; art and heritage - demonstrate the range, relevance and importance of the organisations’ research activities”, he added.
“The British Academy has been proud to sponsor these institutes and societies for many years. They are of great value to British researchers who do original work in the humanities and social sciences in regions of high historical, cultural and strategic importance, and also to the many academic institutions and other partners, in and beyond the UK, with whom they collaborate.” said the President of the British Academy, Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve CBE, PBA, FMedSci, Hon FRS, in opening the event.
The conference attracted the support of Sir John Tusa, Chair of the University of the Arts and former Managing Director of the BBC World Service, and of His Royal Highness Prince Hassan of Jordan, who stressed to the audience the importance of research into history, culture and society, and the contribution that international collaboration could make: “culture is identity; culture is security”, he said.
Lord Bragg of Wigton, the writer and broadcaster, who chaired an afternoon panel discussion on the future of support for overseas research said "I'm delighted to lend my support to this conference. The occasion has provided vibrant and varied examples of how UK-led research drives our understanding of the issues that dominate our world today, and demonstrates just why these organisations are precious assets that need to be nurtured and protected."