Learned societies: a bridge between research, policy making and funding

Abstract

Learned societies play a number of roles in countries around the world, including national representation of the research community; recognising and rewarding research achievement; and as funding agents for fellowships, research grants or research institutes. They have a networking role both within national research communities and in linking with international networks, and can provide a national and neutral forum for academia, government and industry. The roles learned societies play reflect their national context and history, and this article outlines the context, history and approach of the Royal Society of New Zealand, as a multidisciplinary national academy, encompassing science, social science, technology and the humanities.

Keywords:

• learned societies
• national academies
• research
• policy making
• funding
• networks

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Dr Jason Gush, Senior Evaluation Officer, Royal Society of New Zealand for his assistance in compiling the figures on the number of researchers in the New Zealand workforce, and the percentage of international students as a percentage of all tertiary enrolments, 2009. We would also like to acknowledge Dr Jez Weston, Senior Policy Advisor, Royal Society of New Zealand for his assistance in reviewing the article.

Notes

18,281 km to Brussels; 14,198 km to New York; 10,390 km to Beijing.

New Zealand's first university was established in 1869 – the University of Otago.

UNESCO-OECD-Eurostat (UOE) data collection on education statistics, compiled on the basis of national administrative sources, reported by ministries of education or national statistical offices.

Extended kinship group or tribe.

The founding document of New Zealand, between the British Crown and the Māori.