Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences
Encyclopedia
The Academy of Social Sciences (named Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences until July 2007) is a research body in the UK
. , the Academy was composed of over 450 Academicians and 32 Learned Societies. Academicians are distinguished scholars and practitioners from academia and the public and private sectors. Most of the learned societies
in the Social Sciences
in the United Kingdom
are represented within the Academy. Academicians are elected through peer review
in an annual competition on the nomination either of constituent societies or of existing academicians; they may use the letters "AcSS" (Academician of the Social Sciences) after their name. The Academy's ambition is that the status of AcSS should confer the same kind of prestige as fellowship of the Royal Society
or the British Academy
; while it is some distance from reaching this goal, many of the most prominent academic social scientists in the UK are now academicians.
The Academy responds to Government and other consultations on behalf of the social science community, organises meetings about social science for practitioners and seminars on topics that span social science disciplines, and sponsors a number of schemes that promote social science and enhance its value to society. Member learned societies include organisations such as the Regional Studies Association
, the Royal Town Planning Institute
and the Royal Geographical Society
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. , the Academy was composed of over 450 Academicians and 32 Learned Societies. Academicians are distinguished scholars and practitioners from academia and the public and private sectors. Most of the learned societies
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
in the Social Sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
are represented within the Academy. Academicians are elected through peer review
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
in an annual competition on the nomination either of constituent societies or of existing academicians; they may use the letters "AcSS" (Academician of the Social Sciences) after their name. The Academy's ambition is that the status of AcSS should confer the same kind of prestige as fellowship of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
or the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
; while it is some distance from reaching this goal, many of the most prominent academic social scientists in the UK are now academicians.
The Academy responds to Government and other consultations on behalf of the social science community, organises meetings about social science for practitioners and seminars on topics that span social science disciplines, and sponsors a number of schemes that promote social science and enhance its value to society. Member learned societies include organisations such as the Regional Studies Association
Regional Studies Association
The Regional Studies Association is a major international learned society that is concerned with the analysis of regions and regional issues. Through its international membership, the RSA provides an authoritative voice of, and network for, academics, students, practitioners, policy makers and...
, the Royal Town Planning Institute
Royal Town Planning Institute
The Royal Town Planning Institute is a body representing planning professionals in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1914.-Members:...
and the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
.