British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
British Academy reveals ‘Dangerous Recipe’ to the Queen
The British Academy has written a letter to Her Majesty The Queen to expose the diverse ingredients which together resulted in the global financial crisis. The letter was in response to Her Majesty’s question on why no one had noticed the credit crunch was about to happen.
British Academy Fellows, Professors Tim Besley and Peter Hennessy drafted the ‘unofficial command paper’ following the Global Financial Crisis – Why Didn’t Anybody Notice? forum held by the Academy in June. The event brought together a unique group of academics, politicians, senior civil servants and other experts to apply understanding and insight to the question on everybody’s lips.
Robin Jackson, Chief Executive and Secretary of the British Academy said:
“The global recession is a huge development, and it is reasonable to ask to what extent it could have been foreseen. What’s more, we can’t say ‘never again’ if we don’t fully understand what occurred. The Academy forum was an opportunity to get an exceptional range of experts, participants and commentators in one room, sifting fact from fiction and shedding light on what had gone on.
“The forum illustrated the importance of research expertise for dealing with policy issues, as well as providing coherent explanations to help people understand what happened. We hope Her Majesty, and indeed others will find our letter informative.”
For further information please contact: Kate Turnbull, Press and PR Manager: 0207 969 5263/k.turnbull@britac.ac.uk
(Image: The Queen with Professor Luis Garicano at the LSE in November 2008 (Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Archive/Press Association))
NOTES TO EDITORS
Published:
10 August 2009
- Punching our Weight: the humanities and social sciences in public policy making (Sept 2008) is a British Academy report outlining the impact H&SS could have on policy making. To download a copy of the report, please visit: http://www.britac.ac.uk/reports/wilson/index.cfm
- 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