Role Of Learned Societies Research Articles

More than research intermediaries: a descriptive study of the impact and value of learned societies in the UK social sciences

The role of learned societies, mutual organisations of scholars with a common interest in an academic discipline or research field, is a poorly understood part of the ecosystem for knowledge exchange and dissemination. As such, that role is vulnerable to the unintended consequences of actions by other institutions within this ecosystem. This paper reports a study of the social science learned societies operating in the UK in 2012/13. It describes their current activities and sustaining revenue streams, develops a methodology for documenting these, and establishes a baseline for future work to assess the impact of changes in their organisational environment.

Ethics and chemistry: the role of learned societies, as exemplified by the German chemical societies

The times of the “ivory tower” are over; society expects that scientists accept their responsibility for the consequences of their research. In addition, due to numerous examples of significant misbehavior, scientists are increasingly judged by the general public whether they perform according to good scientific practice. Learned societies play an important role here, which, however, has changed since such societies were established more than 150 years ago. This article addresses these questions with a special focus on the situation in Germany.

200th ENMC International Workshop “European Reference Networks: Recommendations and Criteria in the Neuromuscular field”, 18–20 October 2013, Naarden, the Netherlands

200th ENMC International Workshop “European Reference Networks: Recommendations and Criteria in the Neuromuscular field”, 18–20 October 2013, Naarden, the Netherlands

Expanding Technology, Deepening Knowledge and a Shrinking World: Reflections on Learned Societies in Measurement and Instrumentation

The paper marks the fiftieth anniversary of the activity of the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO). It uses this landmark to examine the development of measurement and instrumentation science and technology in the last five decades. It notes a technology that has grown in capability, extended its range of applications and spread globally. It examines the change in economic and political conditions and a globalised world. It critically reviews the role of learned societies. It advocates effort to promote learned society activities. It views international co-operation in such activities as the only way forward. It advocates active engagement in the work of IMEKO.

The role of learned societies in knowledge exchange and dissemination: the case of the Regional Studies Association, 1965–2005

This paper discusses the role of learned societies in knowledge exchange and dissemination. It attempts to ‘map’ the organisations that are considered to reside under the term and discusses how they have developed through history. In doing so, it seeks to highlight that whilst several types of organisations inhabit the landscape of learned societies, they all share a commitment to knowledge exchange and dissemination. The paper then discusses the modern learned societies that were founded in twentieth‐century Britain and now exist alongside their organisational predecessors. It raises questions of whether these organisations exist for the benefit of their members or wider society. The paper then discusses change and development in learned societies in relation to its case study, the Regional Studies Association. The paper concludes by arguing that ‘learned society’ is an umbrella term for knowledge exchange and dissemination organisations whose functions are contextually specific and inextricably tied to the needs of their respective discipline, sub‐discipline or field of intellectual enquiry.

Developing greater dialogue: knowledge transfer, public engagement and learned societies in the social sciences

In recent years the British government has repeated its calls for improved transfer of research knowledge and for greater engagement of researchers with practitioners and the public. This echoes calls from Burawoy and others, in the USA and elsewhere, for greater engagement by social sciences. In the UK the national research councils have raised their investment in knowledge transfer activities, six ‘beacons for public engagement’ have been set up, and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has enhanced its work in this field. In this context, the UK Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS), which includes 35 learned societies and some 550 academicians, resolved in 2007 to undertake a study of the role of learned societies in membership of the AcSS in promoting knowledge transfer and public engagement. This article outlines how the study was undertaken, the discussions around key terms, and the principal findings which were published in 2008 in a volume entitled Developing Dialogue. The article reports on the activities, capabilities, contributions and weaknesses and strengths of the learned societies that were studied. The Research Assessment Exercise, conducted in the UK in 2007–08, was found to have acted as a significant impediment to such work. The paper outlines six key points arising from the research, noting the variety of learned societies and their activities, the need for greater investment and training, and the leadership role that the Academy itself could play with increased resources. The study found that there is a long way to go before many practitioners, policy makers and members of the public are aware and engaged with much of the work and research in the social sciences in Britain.

Expanding Technology, Deepening Knowledge and a Shrinking World: Reflections on Learned Societies in Measurement and Instrumentation

The paper marks the fiftieth anniversary of the activity of the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO). It uses this landmark to examine the development of measurement and instrumentation science and technology in the last five decades. It notes a technology that has grown in capability, extended its range of applications and spread globally. It examines the change in economic and political conditions and a globalised world. It critically reviews the role of learned societies. It advocates effort to promote learned society activities. It views international co-operation in such activities as the only way forward. It advocates active engagement in the work of IMEKO.

Learned societies and electronic publishing

ABSTRACTElectronic publishing techniques are introducing inevitable changes in scholarly publishing as a whole and in the academic journal publishing business in particular. What will be the effect of the changes on the function and role of learned societies?

Les Provinces-Unies et les Lumières

Hans Bots and Jan De Vet : The united provinces and the enlightenment. The chronological limits of the Enlightenment in the U.P. are not those of England or France. «Enlightened » ideas circulated earlier, due tho the Revolt ; the bourgeois Revolution took place in the 1780s but the old structures of government were not removed until 1795. In addition, the particular charac¬ ter of the Enlightenment here is due to the fact the the optimistic faith in the perfectibility of man and society was accompanied by a belief in Christian revelation. The authors insist on the continuity of 16th-century Biblical humanism which inspired 18th-century tolerance, on the important mystical current, on the defenders of liberalism and the development of philosophy and literature ; on the role of learned societies and academies and the important part played by the U.P. in the diffusion of Enlightened ideas. The authors also emphasize the large extent to which this movement extended to all categories of society and was inspired by their rational Christian faith. The resulting hostility to materialism and free thought gave this Enlightenment its special character which is still to be studied in depth.