British Academy facts for kids
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| Formation | 1902 |
|---|---|
| Type | National academy |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Headquarters | London, England |
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Membership
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1,500 |
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President
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Julia Black |
The British Academy is the UK's main group for studying the humanities and social sciences. It's like a special club for top thinkers and researchers in these areas.
It started in 1902 and got a special approval called a royal charter that same year. Today, it includes over 1,000 leading experts. They cover many subjects, from history and philosophy to economics and psychology. The Academy also helps fund research projects across the UK. It's a charity that runs itself and is based in London.
The British Academy mostly gets its money from the government. For example, in 2022, most of its income came from a government department. This money helps them support important research and projects.
Contents
What Does the British Academy Do?
The Academy has five main goals:
- To speak up for the humanities and social sciences. This means showing how important these subjects are.
- To support the best researchers and their projects. They invest money in new ideas.
- To help people understand big questions about society. They share knowledge to make debates better.
- To work with people and groups all over the world. They encourage international teamwork.
- To make sure the Academy stays strong for the future. They manage their resources wisely.
A Look Back: The Academy's History
The idea for the British Academy came about in 1899. People wanted Britain to have a group that could join meetings with other academies in Europe and America. The Academy officially started in 1901 and received its royal charter from King Edward VII in 1902.
Over the years, many famous British scholars have been part of the Academy. These include well-known names like John Maynard Keynes, Isaiah Berlin, and C. S. Lewis.
For a long time, the Academy didn't have its own building. It moved to different places in London, including Burlington House. In 1998, it found its current home at 10–11 Carlton House Terrace. This historic building overlooks St James's Park. Number 11 was even once the home of former Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.
In 2010, the Academy worked to update and connect its two buildings. This project finished in 2011. Now, the buildings are used for Academy events, conferences, and offices for its staff. Parts of the building can also be rented for private events.
Becoming a Fellow
Being chosen as a Fellow of the British Academy is a big honor. It means you are a top scholar in the humanities or social sciences, known for your published work. Fellows can use the letters FBA after their names.
Fellows are chosen in different study areas, like:
- Humanities
- Classical history (ancient Greece and Rome)
- Religious studies
- Languages and literature (old and new)
- Archaeology (studying old things)
- History (from medieval times to modern)
- Art and music history
- Philosophy
- Culture, media, and performance
- Social Sciences
- Law
- Economics (how money and goods work)
- Anthropology (studying human societies) and Geography
- Sociology (studying society)
- Political studies (government and international relations)
- Psychology (how the mind works)
- Business studies
- Education
Supporting Research
The British Academy provides a lot of money to support research in the humanities and social sciences. This funding helps scholars in the UK and other countries. They have different programs for researchers at various stages of their careers. These include fellowships for new researchers and grants for bigger projects.
Besides government money, the Academy also uses private funds. These come from gifts, donations, and grants from other research groups. In 2014/15, the Academy received about £30 million to help researchers. They get many applications each year, but only a small number are chosen.
Working with Other Countries
The Academy works to connect UK research with the rest of the world. They help create ways for scholars to work together internationally. They also use their knowledge to help solve big global problems. They get advice from experts who know a lot about different parts of the world, like Africa, China, and Europe.
The Academy also supports a network of research institutes in other countries. These institutes help UK scholars with local knowledge and places to work. Examples include institutes in Amman, Ankara, Athens, and Rome.
Helping Higher Education
As the main voice for humanities and social sciences in the UK, the British Academy works to protect and promote these subjects. They give advice to the government and other groups on education and research issues. They also hold events and discussions, working with universities and other organizations.
Public Events
The British Academy holds many public events each year. These include lectures, discussions, and conferences. They share new research and talk about important topics. Many of these events are free and take place at the Academy's headquarters in London. Some lecture series, like the Shakespeare Lecture, have been going on for over 100 years!
Awards and Prizes
The British Academy gives out about 15 different prizes and medals each year. These awards recognize amazing achievements in the humanities and social sciences. Some of the awards include:
- The British Academy President's Medal, for great service to the humanities and social sciences.
- The British Academy Medal, for major academic achievements.
- The Leverhulme Medal and Prize.
- The British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding.
- The Rose Mary Crawshay Prize.
- The Derek Allen Prize.
Leaders of the British Academy
The British Academy has had many important leaders over the years. The first president was The Lord Reay, who served from 1902 to 1906. The current president is Julia Black.
See also
In Spanish: Academia Británica para niños
