Strategic Priorities 2008-2013

The British Academy is the national academy for the humanities and social sciences.  It formally adopted a new Strategic Framework at its Annual General Meeting in July 2008. 

The fundamental purpose of the Academy is:

“to inspire, recognise and support excellence and high achievement in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.”

The Academy delivers this mission through four functions:

• as a Fellowship composed of distinguished scholars elected by their peers, it takes a lead in representing the humanities and social sciences, facilitating international collaboration, providing an independent and authoritative source of advice, and contributing to public policy and debate; 
• as a learned society, it seeks to foster and promote the full range of work that makes up the humanities and social sciences, including inter- and multi-disciplinary work;
• as a funder, it supports excellent ideas, individuals and intellectual resources in the humanities and social sciences, it enables UK researchers to work with scholars and resources in other countries, sustains a British research presence in various parts of the world and helps attract overseas scholars to the UK;
• as a national forum for the humanities and social sciences, it supports a range of activities and publications (print and electronic), which aim to stimulate curiosity, to inspire and develop future generations of scholars, and to encourage appreciation of the social, economic and cultural value of these disciplines. 

The Academy’s four strategic priorities for the medium term (2008-13) are:

Ideas, Individuals and Intellectual Resources:

• advance the humanities and social sciences by providing distinct career and research opportunities for outstanding scholars at all levels – including those at an early career stage;
• support long-term scholarly infrastructural projects, which create the resources on which future research can be built.

International Engagement:

• promote UK humanities and social sciences internationally and build international collaboration;
• create opportunities for UK researchers overseas, and help attract outstanding international talent to the UK;
• support a British research presence overseas and facilitate dialogue and understanding across cultural and national boundaries. 

Communications and Advocacy:

• increase the scope and impact of communications and policy work; create and support events and publications that communicate new research and perspectives;
• encourage public debate and demonstrate the value of humanities and social science scholarship to a wide range of audiences.

Fellowship:

• strengthen opportunities and structures by which Fellows can contribute their expertise to the intellectual life of the Academy and the country.

The humanities and social sciences have a huge impact on our national life.  They examine and re-assess fundamental beliefs and presuppositions, past, present and future.  They address the social, cultural, ethical and economic challenges we face, including the human and social impact of scientific and medical advances, the economic impact of global issues, and the management of international relations, development and security issues.  They enlarge our understanding of ourselves, and strengthen public life – socially, economically and culturally.