Purposes
The academy states that it has five fundamental purposes: * To speak up for the humanities and the social sciences * To invest in the very best researchers and research * To inform and enrich debate around society's greatest questions * To ensure sustained international engagement and collaboration * To make the most of the Academy's assets to secure the Academy for the future.History
The creation of a "British Academy for the Promotion of Historical, Philosophical and Philological Studies" was first proposed in 1899 in order that Britain could be represented at meetings of European and American academies. The organisation, which has since become simply "the British Academy", was initiated as an unincorporated society on 17 December 1901, and received its Royal Charter from King Edward VII on 8 August 1902. Since then, many of Britain's most distinguished scholars in the humanities and social sciences have been involved in the life of the academy, including John Maynard Keynes, Isaiah Berlin, C. S. Lewis and Henry Moore. Until 1927–28 the academy had no premises. Then it moved to some rooms in No. 6 Burlington Gardens. In 1968 it moved the short distance to Burlington House. It subsequently moved to headquarters near Regent's Park. Then in 1998 the Academy moved to its present headquarters inFellowship
Election as a Fellow of the British Academy recognises high scholarly distinction in the humanities or social sciences, evidenced by published work. Fellows may use the letters FBA after their names. Fellows are elected into one of the following disciplinary sections: ;Humanities * Classical Antiquity * Theology and Religious Studies * African and Oriental Studies * Linguistics and Philology * Early Modern Languages and Literatures * Modern Languages, Literatures and other Media * Archaeology * Medieval Studies * Early Modern History to c1800 * Modern History from c1800 * History of Art and Music * Philosophy * Culture, Media and Performance ;Social Sciences * Law * Economics and Economic History * Anthropology and Geography * Sociology, Demography and Social Statistics * Political Studies: Political Theory, Government and International Relations * Psychology * Management and Business Studies * EducationFunding schemes
The British Academy channels substantial public funding into support for individuals and organisations pursuing humanities and social sciences research and scholarship in the UK and overseas. These funding schemes are designed to aid scholars at different stages of their academic career and include postdoctoral fellowships, Wolfson Research Professorships, Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships, small research grants and British Academy Research Projects. In addition to its main public funds supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the academy also draws on private funds arising from gifts, legacies, contributions made by fellows and grants from research foundations to support a further range of research activities. In 2014/15, the academy received around £30m to support research and researchers across the humanities and social sciences. Funds available to the academy were invested in the following main areas: research career development; a portfolio of research grant opportunities, and international engagement. The demand and quality of applications submitted for academy funding remains high. This year the academy received around 3,600 applications and made 588 awards to scholars based in around 100 different universities across the UK – a success rate of 16 per cent.International work
In order to promote the interests of UK research and learning around the world, the Academy works to create frameworks to support international networking and collaboration and develop the role of humanities and social sciences research in tackling global challenges. It draws on expertise from a wide range of sources from within the fellowship and on specialist advice from its seven Area Panels for Africa, China, the Middle East, Europe, South Asia, and Latin America/Caribbean. The Academy also funds and coordinates a network of overseas institutes which provide local expertise, logistical support and often a working base for UK scholars. These include research institutes in Amman, Ankara,Higher education and research
As the UK's national voice for the humanities and social sciences, the British Academy seeks to promote and protect the interests and health of these disciplines and their research base. It makes independent representations to the government and other bodies on relevant higher education and research issues, contributes statements and submissions to formal consultations and organises a range of policy events and discussions, liaising regularly with learned societies, universities, national academies and other relevant organisations.British Academy's policy work
The British Academy's Fellowship represents breadth and excellence of expertise across these disciplines, and the Academy's policy work is dedicated to applying that insight to policy issues for public benefit and societal well-being. The goal is to enlighten the context, meaning and practicalities of policy challenges. This work is meant to bring independence, authority and objectivity to complex issues, such as public policy, skills, education and research. From reports to small meetings, the British Academy provides a forum for examining issues that are important for the society and the economy.Public events
The British Academy organises a wide-ranging annual programme of more than 50 public lectures, panel discussions, conferences and seminars showcasing new research and debating topical issues. This includes a number of long-established lecture series, such as the Shakespeare Lecture, first given in 1911. Most events are free and most take place at the Academy's headquarters inAward of prizes
The British Academy awards a total of 15 prizes and medals, most of them awarded annually. *British Academy President's Medal, created in 2010 and awarded to up to five recipients each year who have demonstrated "signal service to the cause of the humanities and social sciences" *British Academy Medal, created in 2013 and awarded to up to three recipients each year "for landmark academic achievement in any of the humanities and social science disciplines supported by the Academy" * Burkitt Medal, created in 1923 *Presidents of the British Academy
* The Lord Reay 1902–1907 * Sir Edward Maunde Thompson 1907–1909 *Secretaries of the British Academy
* Sir Israel Gollancz (1902–1930) * Sir Frederic G. Kenyon (1930–1949) * Sir Mortimer Wheeler (1949–1968) * Derek Allen (1969–1973) * N. J. Williams (1973–1977) * J. P. Carswell (1978–1983) * P. W. H. Brown (1983–2006) * Robin Jackson (2006–2015) * Alun Evans (2015–2019) * Hetan Shah (2020-)Publications
;Lectures and conferences papers ;Monographs ;Research seriesSee also
* :Fellows of the British Academy * Royal SocietyReferences
External links
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