British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
British Academy to Tackle Major Policy Challenges
The British Academy is establishing a new policy centre as part of its plans to play a stronger role in future public debate and policymaking.
Speaking at his inauguration at the Academy’s Annual General Meeting, incoming Academy President Sir Adam Roberts pointed to the strength of UK research in humanities and social sciences, and outlined the Academy’s plans to assist Government and public bodies to draw on this wide range of academic expertise.
The Academy, which has over 900 Fellows, encompasses psychologists, economists, historians, lawyers, theologians, criminologists and many others. Their expertise can shed light on major topical issues, ranging from climate change to radical extremism. Sir Adam emphasised the need for policy-makers, particularly those implementing international policy, to understand the history, culture and languages of the societies with which they deal.
Sir Adam Roberts is an experienced adviser of public bodies, in the UK and overseas, on policy issues, especially international relations. He said:
The humanities and social sciences are not luxuries, but crucial contributors to the richness of society, to prosperity and well-being.
The major problems that face us today, nationally and internationally will not be solved by science and technology alone. Indeed the most intractable challenges are likely to rely for their solution on an understanding of human behaviour, of social and political change, and of intercultural understanding – all of which depend on the humanities and social sciences.
By strengthening the policy engagement capacity located at the Academy, we can give leadership and develop a powerful voice on behalf of our disciplines.
The Academy also elected 38 outstanding scholars into the Fellowship, with the expertise to contribute to the Academy’s objectives, including policy engagement. The scholars include one of the youngest ever Fellows, and the youngest ever woman to be elected. Specialities of new Fellows elected this year cover a diverse range of subjects, from terrorism to autism, prehistory to Romantic literature, African anthropology to human rights law, language disorders to citizenship and social security.
For a copy of Sir Adam Roberts’ speech, biographies of the new Fellows or further information, please contact: Kate Turnbull, Press and PR Manager: 0207 969 5263 / k.turnbull@britac.ac.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Published:
19 July 2009
- The new British Academy policy centre will be funded with financial support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
- Professor Sir Adam Roberts KCMG FBA was speaking at the British Academy AGM as he took over the post of President from Baroness Onora O’Neill.
- Sir Adam is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for International Studies in Oxford University’s Department of Politics and International Relations, and an Emeritus Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1990, and in 2002 was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to the study and practice of international relations. Sir Adam is elected for a four year term until 2013.
- Each year, the British Academy elects to its Fellowship up to 38 outstanding UK-based scholars who have achieved distinction in any branch of the humanities and social sciences. Others based overseas can also be elected as Corresponding Fellows, and, in addition, the Academy can elect Honorary Fellows. A full list of those elected in 2009 is available from: http://www.britac.ac.uk/fellowship/elections/2009/index.cfm. Professor Fiona Steele, Professor of Social Statistics, University of Bristol (age 38), the Academy’s youngest ever female Fellow
- The British Academy, established by Royal Charter in 1902, champions and supports the humanities and social sciences. It aims to inspire, recognise and support excellence and high achievement across the UK and internationally. For more information, please visit www.britac.ac.uk.