International Relations

A major reason for the foundation of the British Academy was the fact that there existed no national body to represent the humanities and social sciences in the international arena.

Among its objectives, the Academy seeks to:

• provide leadership in representing the interests of research and learning both nationally and internationally;
• promote international research links and collaborations and broaden understanding across cultures.

In its international relations the Academy focuses on three main aims:

• the provision of funding and support for individual and collaborative research, through agreements and joint programmes which complement and supplement the Research and Conference Grant schemes
• the development and maintenance of links with partner institutions abroad
• membership of and affiliation to international organisations and networks which speak and provide support for research in the humanities and social sciences.

The work of the International Relations Department includes:

• country-specific funding schemes
• a Visiting Fellowship scheme for overseas scholars
• Area Panels which provide expert advice on the maintenance and strategic development of links and the broadening of the Academy's international relations
  • UK-Africa Academic Partnerships scheme
  • UK-Middle East Capacity Sharing Partnerships
  • UK-South Asia Partnerships scheme
  • UK-Latin American/Caribbean Link Programme
• engagement with European research policy issues
  • The slides presented at the ESRC/BA Information Day on Social Science opportunities in the Seventh Framework Programme are now available on line
• participation in the CO-REACH ERA-NET (Co-ordination of Research between Europe and China)
• organisation of events with partner institutions
• monitoring the international dimension of the Academy's activities
• the provision of information for foreign scholars