British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Two responses to national consultations published
The British Academy has published responses to two national consultations on research policy: DIUS's consultation on 'Science and Society' and RCUK's on a code of conduct and policy on the governance of good research conduct.
In its response to DIUS's consultation on Science and Society , the Academy recommended
- that greater recognition should be given to the role that the humanities and social sciences play in public life and the contribution they make to scientific understanding ;
- Government and researchers need to make it more feasible for others to place trust in them by showing clearly that scientific work and the policies and institutions that rely on that work are trustworthy; and
- that activities aimed at public engagement with science and research should receive better professional recognition.
On the consultation on the governance of good research conduct, the Academy recommended
- that research should be undertaken to assess the scale, nature and significance of any problem of academic malpractice in the UK;
- that an atmosphere conducive to good research conduct be fostered in UK academic institutions;
- that RCUK should work with funding bodies and professional and learned associations to ensure that the Code is suitable to the varied academic environments in which it will be applied; and
- that any new body created to deal with this issue should be advisory only and take account of and build on work already done in this area.
Both these responses and other policy contributions made by the Academy are available online from the Academy's website.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Published:
30 October 2008
For further information, please contact Vivienne Hurley, Head of Policy Development, The British Academy - tel: 020 7969 5268; email: policy@britac.ac.uk