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inspiring excellence

Review of the year 2015/16

British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 1 CoNTENTS president’s welcome

Welcome to this summary of a busy Since the General Election, we have argued year of increasing activity at the strongly to the Government and others that . It illustrates the if, as a country, we wish to see growth and , it is vital that we invest strongly in growing impact of our public and policy social science and humanities . Their engagement – drawing on the unique importance rests not in the benefits they 01 president’s welcome 06 Championing the Humanities powerhouse of expertise within our bring to our economy alone, crucial though and Social Sciences Fellowship, using our convening power these are, but in their impact on the wider 02 chief Executive’s to feed that knowledge and wisdom social, cultural and individual well-being of introduction into the public arena, and raising public all who live and work in the UK. They are 10 Advancing excellent also the essential ‘twin’ to the understanding 04 financial overview Research awareness of our work. of our natural world that science brings – interdependent realms of knowledge, each The British Academy Debates have proved incomplete without the other. 14 shaping Policy and public to be a valuable way of demonstrating understanding the contribution that social science and But however strong the evidence – and it This Review of the Year presents a humanities research and expertise make is very strong indeed – this is not an easy summary of highlights from the past year, 18 delivering global to exploring present day challenges. The argument to win at a time when public showing how the British Academy works leadership in research flagship of our public events programme, expenditure is under such tight constraints. to support and champion outstanding the Debates have reached new audiences The outcome of the recent Spending Review humanities and social science research. at venues around the UK with topics such – an inflation-protected increase in the overall 22 About The ACADEMY as Energy and the Environment, Migration science and research budget – is welcome, It complements our more detailed and the role of Faith in today’s world. particularly in the context of great pressures on Annual Report, containing full financial 26 new fellows the budgets of ‘non-protected departments’. Elsewhere, following an invitation from accounts, which is published online. But it still means that the UK’s comparatively Government, the Academy drew together small spend on R&D leaves us well behind leading Fellows, policy makers and other other countries that are investing far more experts to discuss ways in which the heavily in science, research and innovation. country could tackle vital challenges, such as how to improve the UK’s slowing We welcomed Alun Evans in July as the productivity, growth, the future of our cities Academy’s new Chief Executive, in succession and our strategic relations with China. to Robin Jackson. He is conducting a series These remain priorities. of reviews on the Academy’s strategy and on diversity and governance, and will be a leader over the coming years in our continuing Keep in touch Nicholas Stern efforts to deepen our Fellowship, foster Sign up to our e-newsletters at Kt, FRS scholarship and research of the highest order, (Lord Stern of Brentford) and place the humanities and social sciences www.britishacademy.ac.uk/signup President ever closer to the heart of the UK’s public @britac_news and intellectual life. TheBritishAcademy britacfilm British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 1 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S INTRODUCTION BRITISH ACADEMY STRATEGIC

The past year – my first as the British the UK constitution, the future of public FRAMEWORK 2016–2020 Academy’s Chief Executive – has been service television and community energy projects, and much more besides. The British Academy’s purpose is to Diversity: We are committed to promoting spent on the front foot, championing in and encouraging greater diversity in those we public arenas and in government circles, In the past year we awarded our 1,000th inspire and support high achievement in the humanities and social sciences fund, elect to our Fellowship and work and the contribution our disciplines make Postdoctoral Fellowship – our flagship partner with, reflecting the excellence of the to the UK’s eminence in science and funding scheme, now spanning two throughout the UK and internationally, research community, wherever it is found. generations – and launched our ‘rising and to promote their public value. research. stars’ networking and public engagement programme. We have created an improved, They are vital drivers of innovation and growth We have three principal roles Our work will be shaped by redesigned website and our re-energised in a modern knowledge economy. At the A Fellowship of distinguished scholars from all four strategic objectives public events programme is reaching wider same time we have sustained our unique role areas of the humanities and social sciences, 1. Championing the humanities and audiences through a mix of topical panel as a national academy. We have supported a elected by their peers, that facilitates the social sciences discussions, high-profile talks and debates. growing range of important research across exchange of knowledge and ideas and To promote our disciplines, uphold the UK and internationally, developing our One of my first tasks has been to examine promotes the work of our subjects. their value and importance and stimulate contributions on major public policy issues, and refresh the Academy’s overall strategy A Funding Body that supports the best ideas, public interest in them. (see opposite). This provides a roadmap analysing the health of our disciplines, and individuals and intellectual resources in the 2. Advancing excellent research for our work and activities over the next strengthening our communications and humanities and social sciences, nationally To create funding opportunities for four years – continuing to raise our sights outreach activities. and internationally. outstanding people and innovative and seek to mobilise the full potential of As this short summary demonstrates, there A Forum for debate and engagement that research across the humanities and social the humanities and social sciences to be a have been numerable highlights over the past stimulates public interest and deepens sciences, and to recognise and celebrate beacon for enlightenment, increasing our 12 months. We have created partnerships understanding, that enhances global high achievement. understanding of peoples, cultures and with the Department for International leadership and policy making, and that acts as societies – past, present and future. a voice for the humanities and social sciences. 3. Shaping policy and public understanding Development (DFID) to carry out major To enhance understanding of the new research on combating international The Academy’s grant from BIS has been contribution of humanities and social corruption, and with the Department for held at its previous level of £27m for At the heart of all our work are three core values science research to public life and Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the next four years, but with additional debate, and their role in the process Excellence: We are committed to the highest the Royal Society to develop our Newton new support from the Global Challenges of making public policy. Fellowships and the Newton Fund. We have Research Fund (£3m in the first year, standards across all the Academy’s activities, contributed ideas and thinking on the review then rising) we will be able to expand from recognising and supporting outstanding 4. Delivering global leadership in research of the Research Excellence Framework, on our international work. The challenge of research, especially by early career scholars, To develop UK research in international increasing our income from other public to our engagement with policy development arenas and provide leadership that helps and private sources is an ever higher and public discussion. shape the research agenda on global challenges and strengthen understanding priority. We have had some success here, Independence: We seek, in all our activities, Alun Evans not least thanks to the generosity of many of other cultures and societies. Chief Executive to safeguard scholarly interests and academic ANd Secretary of the Academy’s own Fellows, and the freedom, independent of government refurbishment of our highly attractive public and of individual university or other spaces in Carlton House Terrace will help particular interests. our income from meetings, conferences and receptions continue to grow.

2 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 3 Funds spent supporting outstanding research across £10.9m the humanities and social sciences included: Early career fellowships financial £10.9m International engagement Overview £3.5m Mid-career fellowships £2.7m 2015/16 Public policy and public engagement The Academy’s overall turnover £36.2m £2.3m Small Research Grants increased by over £3m in the past year. Where the money Our ‘core’ government grant from the £36.4m £2.2m came from Trading, fundraising Department for Business, Innovation Where the and publications and Skills (BIS) remained static (£27m), money went £1.6m but was supplemented by new income Other grants from the Department for International £1.5m Languages and Quantitative Development (DFID), increases in the Skills programme Newton Fund and further income from a £27m £0.8m range of trusts, foundations and other Department for Business, Running costs Innovation & Skills bodies, from publications and from £2.2m investment income. The Academy’s Trading income wholly owned subsidiary, ‘Clio’, also £2.1m INVESTMENT CAPITAL produced gross trading income of Newton Fund The Academy Development Fund is our principal free £2.2m, and a surplus of over £0.8m. £1.7m reserve, and the crucial means of providing independent DFID Overall levels of activity have continued funding for new initiatives. Investment capital in the Fund to rise, with annual turnover increasing £1.6m has more than tripled over the past 10 years: to more than £36m, despite the tough Other grants £m £0.5m 7.0 economic climate. Grants returned £0.4m 6.0 £6.6m Investment income 5.0 currently invested £0.3m Donations, subscriptions 4.0 £0.2m 3.0 +318% Publications income 10 year increase £0.2m 2.0 Other 1.0

0 YEAR 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

4 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 5 Championing the Humanities With so much uncertainty in the UK’s higher education sector, it has been an important and challenging year and Social Sciences for the Academy’s voice to be heard.

In our response to the proposals in the The health of our disciplines Objective: To promote our disciplines, New Academy reports uphold their value and importance and government’s Green Paper, Higher education: A primary role of the Academy is to Two major Academy reports dealing with stimulate public interest in them. teaching excellence, social mobility and student undertake activities aimed at assessing choice, the Academy stressed both the and maintaining the health of our various the need to strengthen quantitative skills As the UK’s national champion of the importance of dual support to the continued disciplines. Following a series of forums the training were launched at the House of humanities and social sciences the British success and strength of the UK’s research base, Academy published Reflections of Economics, Lords in June 2015. State of the Nation Academy takes the lead in promoting their and the need to view the HE and research led by Professor FBA, Lord and Count Us In outline the critical nature public value and contribution they make system as a whole. (Gus) O’Donnell and the President, which of the skills gap in the UK and call for to our understanding of peoples, cultures a cultural change across all phases of The Academy’s independent response to analysed key aspects of economics today and and societies – past, present and future. highlighted some of the most important education and employment, together Lord Stern’s review of the Research with a more concerted national effort We work closely with the Royal Society, avenues for to pursue. A further Excellence Framework drew on extensive led by government. the Royal Academy of Engineering and consultation, including a survey of Fellows series, exploring archaeology, is now in train. the Academy of Medical Sciences to make and selected award-holders and round table In the past year the Academy also launched a joined-up case for the importance of forums. Three key issues emerged: the burden an important project investigating how science and research to the UK’s growth of the assessment process; the need to redefine interdisciplinary research is carried and innovation, and the social, cultural ‘impact’ and the wider benefits of research; out within universities, its relevance to and economic benefits of our world-class and the need to obviate distortions to the innovation in the wider economy, and research base. Each Academy President is a academic process and research careers as a how academics can forge a career path member of a Ministerial Advisory Group result of research assessment. in interdisciplinary research. that provides expert advice to government in these crucial areas. Highlights of the Academy’s continuing focus on modern languages included Advice to government and other bodies publishing the evidence from our With so much uncertainty in the UK’s Born Global project on languages and higher education sector, it has been an employability and our annual Schools important and challenging year for the Language Awards. A round table on the Academy’s voice to be heard. This work future of languages in universities brought has drawn heavily on the expertise of our together practitioners and stakeholders to Fellowship, outcomes from the research we discuss the decline in language admissions, fund, and our ability to convene leading their health and future in the light of stakeholders from across education and recent changes to funding, and calls research policy. from employers for more language and ‘soft’ skills.

Our Schools Language Awards celebrate educational initiatives by UK schools

6 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 7 Media and communications We gained good press coverage in a range The British Academy’s new website was of national media outlets, together with launched in the spring of 2016, utilising regular coverage of the Academy’s activities the latest web technology and a fresh new in Times Higher Education and Research design to provide a more dynamic and user- Fortnight. On the anniversary of the Scottish friendly guide to the Academy, our Fellows independence referendum, Chief Executive and our increasing range of activities. Our Alun Evans was interviewed on the BBC’s growing media profile is raising public Today programme and BBC Two’s Reporting awareness of the Academy and providing , and was featured in papers a stronger demonstration of the kinds of including , The National and contribution the humanities and social the Scottish Express. sciences make to our national life.

Our growing media profile is raising public past events and we have also started awareness of the Academy live-streaming selected high-profile events 11,000+ to broaden our live audience, including and providing a stronger monthly views on our YouTube channel (in December) a panel discussion on the demonstration of the future of the BBC featuring Lord Puttnam, kinds of contribution the Media partnerships continue to help us Brian Eno and Greg Dyke (pictured above). humanities and social build new audiences. Recent successful sciences make to our partnerships have included Prospect magazine, The Times Literary Supplement national life. and Current World Archaeology. Advertising and marketing activities are increasingly being used to promote events to public and academic audiences, coupled with increased use of social media. Our Twitter and Facebook followings are rapidly growing and the British Academy’s blog is updated every week, showcasing different aspects of our work and activities. In addition to our YouTube channel (with an average of over 11,000 views per month), a British Academy SoundCloud page now features a wide range of audio content from

8 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 9 Advancing excellent 187 20:1 Postdoctoral Fellows academy research projects Research were supported during 2015/16 over £20 raised for every £1 we invest

Objective: To create funding opportunities Postdoctoral Fellowships Principles conference in , Academy Research Projects for outstanding people and innovative Thirty years after it began, the Academy’s held by the UN Global Compact and UN The Academy currently supports and research across the humanities and flagship Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme Women. It became apparent that engaging ‘kitemarks’ 53 long-term collaborative attracted over 900 applicants for 45 new awards male middle managers in gender equality projects designated as Academy Research social sciences, and to recognise and is a pressing and widespread issue, with celebrate high achievement. in 2015. One of the new award-holders was Projects. Collectively they generated 26 Dr Dominic Davies () many organisations looking for ways to new volumes or editions, and over 40 The Academy’s historic commitment to whose research draws together literature and involve men in the conversation around journal articles during the past year. The the support of early career researchers was urban geography in his project Drawing gender equality. The practitioner report project Catalogue of British Town Maps, led extended in 2015/16 with the introduction the South African City: Mapping Urban produced as part of her Fellowship was by Professor Roger Kain FBA concluded of the Rising Star Engagement Awards. This Infrastructures in the Graphic Novel Form. seen as an important resource; for example, with the publication of British Town Maps: new scheme provides an opportunity for Ian Rand, CEO of Business Banking at A History last year by the A total of 187 Postdoctoral Fellows were outstanding early career scholars to enhance Barclays, commented that it ‘strikes a clever Press. Many of the projects produced supported during 2015/16. Those completing their skills and career development by and delicate balance between delivering new online materials and resources, their awards included Dr Mara Malagodi, playing a leading role in sharing research academic analysis, and serving as a real- including a new website (http://www. (now Lecturer in Law, City University and expertise through a series of networking world training manual’. voluntarysectorarchives.org.uk/) launched ), who took advantage of the funding and public engagement activities. for the project Digitising the Mixed provided by the Academy for training Research meets the Graphic Novel form in this postdoctoral Economy of Welfare in Britain. Among the first group of award-holders and dissemination to develop her skills in research study of South African cities was Dr Alan Gow (Heriot-Watt University), documentary filmmaking. With colleagues, she who led a programme of engagement with was subsequently awarded the prize for Best Scottish schools and universities through Documentary Short at the 2015 Raindance Rewrite the Headlines, a competition aiming Film Festival for Walking Through Havana. to help young people better understand how the latest research can be turned into Mid-Career Fellowships headline news (pictured below). Mid-Career Fellows frequently report that their awards help them to refocus and re-energise their research by enabling them to take up to 12 months away from their normal academic commitments. Professor Elisabeth Kelan (Cranfield University) worked during her Fellowship on MANagers – Changing Gender Practices of Middle Managers, and in March 2016 was invited to present findings from her research at the annual Women’s Empowerment

10 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 11 Collectively the projects continue to Qualitative Election Study of Britain 2015; The online open-access Journal of the contribution to be very successful in leveraging further Professor Dennis Kavanagh (independent British Academy continues to publish articles modern German support from other sources. Significant new scholar) worked (with Professor Philip derived from lectures given at the Academy. history, to the Brian funding during 2015 came from the Japan Cowley) on the latest in the series of It has included recent additions on the role Barry Prize in Political Society for the Promotion of Science, the definitive election studies, published of the corporation in the 21st century, the Science, an annual essay Modern Humanities Research Association, as The British General Election of 2015; place of Britain in Europe, and the idea of prize awarded in partnership the Headley Trust, the European Research Professor David Deacon (Loughborough jihad in the First World War. with Cambridge University Press and the Council and different UK research councils. University) undertook a study of national British Journal of Political Science, won by Dr New volumes in the Proceedings of the British For every £1 invested by the Academy, news reporting of the election; Professor Parashar Kulkarni (). Academy series – themed volumes of essays currently more than £20 is generated from Matthew Goodwin (University of Kent) – featured studies of medieval manuscripts Three British Academy Medals, which other sources. conducted a specific study of the UK Independence Party, published as UKIP: miscellanies, of the Victorian study of recognise landmark academic achievements Small Research Grants Inside the Campaign to Redraw British history, and of the interplay of terrorist in any field of the humanities or social Politics; and Dr Anthony Seldon (another and counter-terrorist strategies. sciences, were awarded to: Professor Patricia Small Research Grants continue to be one Clavin for Securing The World Economy: The independent scholar) received support for Other volumes included a major study of of the Academy’s most popular funding Reinvention of the League of Nations 1920– his study, Cameron at 10. Painting in Britain 1500–1630, launched at schemes. During 2015/16, 391 awards 1946; Professor Roy Foster FBA for Vivid the National Portrait Gallery in September were confirmed, spread among applicants Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland Conferences 2015; and a collection of historical sources at 87 different institutions. Fifty-seven per 1890–1923; and Professor Robert Fowler British Academy Conferences examine for an uprising in (what is now) Malawi, cent of awards were made to women; 57% FBA for Early Greek Mythography Volume 2: innovative themes, seeking to deliver which sent shock waves through Britain’s to candidates aged under 40; and 14% to Commentary. applicants who identified themselves as of two-day events of lasting significance imperial possessions in south-east Africa non-white ethnic origin. where research of the highest calibre is one hundred years ago. The President’s Medals recognise ‘signal presented and discussed, and opportunities service’ in promoting the humanities Small Research Grants were awarded across for multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary Prizes and medals and social sciences. Four awards in 2015 the whole spectrum of humanities and perspectives are encouraged. A total of 23 prizes and medals were were made to: Dr Peter Addyman (York social sciences and many feature research of awarded in 2015, ranging from the Archaeological Trust and the Jorvik Viking interest to wider society. Several of the 2015 Major topics addressed in these conferences Leverhulme Medal and Prize, awarded Centre); Darren Henley (Arts Council grants, for example, supported research on over the past year included how terrorist groups ‘learn’, the impact of the 1965 Race to Sir Richard Evans FBA for his major England and Classic FM); Dr Elizabeth the General Election. Dr Edzia Carvalho Livingstone (Oxford Dictionary of the () worked on The Relations Act 50 years on, and whether empathy neuroscience can contribute to Christian Church); and Professor Michael resolving conflicts such as that between Wood (University of and BBC). This new major study Israel and Palestine. The Academy’s most valuable prize, the of British painting was launched at £25,000 Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for the National Portrait Academic publishing Transcultural Understanding, was awarded Gallery The Academy’s academic publishing to Neil MacGregor (Hon FBA), former programme plays an important role Director of the British Museum, for in communicating new insights from A History of the World in 100 Objects and humanities and social science research. Germany: Memories of a Nation. Fourteen new titles were published in 2015/16, the majority through the Academy’s longstanding partnership with . Neil MacGregor receiving his prize from Dr Nayef Al-Rodhan 12 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 13 seeks to use the humanities and social sciences as part of this analysis – to better Shaping policy and understand how people interact with place, and to clarify what makes place-based policy public understanding making successful. Events have been held examining the links between policy and local planning, and to explore how social media can provide a rich set of data that gives insight into people’s feelings towards Objective: To enhance understanding of civil servants work. We have also partnered the places in which they live and work. the contribution of humanities and social with Goldsmiths, science research to public life and on work on the future of public service Governing England debate, and their role in the process television at a time of critical decision The Academy has engaged closely with making for the sector. of making public policy. recent UK constitutional changes which reached a crucial point around the Scottish The British Academy’s public policy Community energy energy effective. These case studies were independence referendum. For the past year programme demonstrates the value What are the cultural factors that make shared with academics and practitioners we have focused on the English question – of policy makers working alongside local energy projects successful? Why is including government, community energy what is the future for English governance in humanities and social science researchers in cooperatively-owned energy generation organisations and energy companies, to the context of a changing UK, and indeed tackling society’s most pressing problems. mainstream in some countries but only highlight ways that the UK can make a changing Europe? This programme We have convened high-level seminars and marginal in others? As part of the British community energy a major part of its move involves a series of public and private workshops with government partners – Academy Debates on Energy and the towards renewable energy. events, publications and media engagement from providing economics expertise to feed Environment, and with support from on issues including the implications of into the UK productivity plan to working the Ashden foundation, the Academy Where We Live Now ‘English votes for English laws’, perceptions with the Government Office for Science commissioned a set of international case Local and place-based policy is a growing of Englishness across England’s regions, on how autonomous decision making studies that highlighted the cultural factors interest in government and, through our the role of city mayors and the future of technologies could change the way that that are at play in making community Where We Live Now project, the Academy political parties in England.

The British Academy Debates The British Academy Debates were We produced summary booklets of each launched in 2014 to contribute to public series in collaboration with our media understanding of some of the greatest partner Prospect magazine, circulated to 1,000+ challenges and issues of our time. We people attended our debates their 14,000 subscribers. There were also held in different centres brought together panels of academics, welcome partnerships with the Royal Society across the UK policy makers, journalists and social and the Climate Change Collaboration commentators for our fourth and fifth series, (CCC) for the Energy and the Environment which explored Energy and the Environment series. Funding from the CCC boosted (2015) and Faith (2016). Over 1,000 people programming activity during the series and 14,000 attended these Debates, held in different also enabled the Academy’s policy team to prospect Subscribers received booklets summarising centres across the UK, with a record turnout work alongside the Debates exploring the each series of debates at the Faith Debate in February in Newcastle role played by community energy in the UK upon Tyne (with over 400 attendees). and internationally. Panellists at the British Academy Debate on Faith in Newcastle upon Tyne

14 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 15 600+ people attended Other Worlds british academy Literature Week in May 308 events formed the second Being Human festival of the humanities in november 19,000+ people attended the Being Human festival

Marina Warner ‘in conversation’ with award-winning author Marcus Sedgwick during Literature Week Shakespeare Untold – an exclusive performance of Globe Education’s Romeo and Juliet for younger audiences, part of British Academy Literature Week

PUBLIC EVENTS Tudor and Jacobean art. Other autumn The second Being Human festival of the British Academy lectures The British Academy’s accessible highlights included the acclaimed humanities took place across the UK over For over 100 years the British Academy’s programme of events, including talks, anthropologist and conservationist Richard 11 days in November. Led by London public lectures have communicated the panel discussions and debates, showcases Leakey ‘in conversation’ with Zeinab University’s School of Advanced Study in best scholarship in the humanities and how the humanities and social sciences Badawi, and Thinkers for our Time: partnership with the Arts & Humanities social sciences to both specialists and underpin the world around us. Sigmund Freud and At Home with Freud, Research Council, the British Academy general audiences. two events held in partnership with the and the Wellcome Trust, the festival Our fourth biennial Literature Week, Freud Museum. encompassed a programme of 308 events Sixteen lectures were delivered in 2015/16. Other Worlds, held in May 2015 and with a total audience of over 19,000 people. A diverse set of audiences heard lecturers organised in partnership with Londonist, speak on subjects ranging from reggae explored the theme of fairy tales and folk In December celebrated author Hilary and Caribbean poetics to why forgetting tales. Highlights included author Lionel Mantel joined Professor Diarmaid is good for our mental health. Other Shriver presenting one of her short stories; MacCulloch FBA, BAFTA-winning highlights included Sir Ian Kershaw FBA the Academy’s first ‘late’ event Other director Peter Kosminsky and RSC actor speaking on Europe’s rebirth after the Worlds...After Dark featuring pop-up Ben Miles for a special event exploring Second World War, Dr John Goldthorpe lectures and live storytelling, and the writer historical and fictional versions of Thomas FBA on social mobility, and Professor and critic Marina Warner ‘in conversation’ Cromwell. The spring 2016 programme Mary Beard FBA on how classics became with award-winning author Marcus included a collaboration with BBC Radio established as an academic discipline in Sedgwick. More than 600 people attended. 3, Crisis of Care, and a partnership with the 19th century and how it has been the Mile End Institute, Does good policy perceived since. September events included two held in making need historians? partnership with the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate the British Academy’s publication of a new volume of essays on Lord Prescott and Professor John Curtice FBA debating the role of city mayors as part of the Academy’s Governing England policy project 16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 17 We also submitted evidence to a House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Delivering global leadership in November on the relationship between A major Academy report on The Role of EU membership and the effectiveness of Religion in Conflict and Peacebuilding in research science, research and innovation in the UK. was commissioned by DFID. As lead for the All-European Academies Social Sciences and Humanities Working Group, the Academy continued to shape the content and implementation of the EU’s This work is majoring on five research Objective: To develop UK research Horizon 2020 funding programme. newton fund in international arenas and provide themes relating to: urban futures; justice, As part of our commitment to the next The Academy made 68 new awards leadership that helps shape the rights and equality; conflict, stability and security; Europe’s futures; and knowledge generation of researchers, the Academy held totalling £2.3m under the Newton Fund, research agenda on global challenges frontiers. workshops on research methods and writing a government programme to promote the and strengthen understanding of other for academic journals, which enabled early economic development and social welfare cultures and societies. International policy career scholars from the Middle East and of 15 partner countries. North and sub-Saharan Africa to learn from The Academy’s international work fosters Policy work on the EU’s role in supporting By cultivating new partnerships in China, experienced researchers and journal editors. research collaboration across borders and research included a joint event with the Malaysia and Thailand, we were able to We also published a report on developing promotes the sharing of perspectives Royal Irish Academy exploring EU research fund researchers in these countries for institutional frameworks to support early on major societal challenges. It spans and innovation practices, and an expert the first time, in addition to researchers career development in African universities. fellowships, research partnerships, policy forum on demographic change, which in Brazil, Mexico, , Turkey advice and support for a network of British highlighted the contribution humanities and A series of conferences and seminars aimed and Vietnam. institutes overseas. social sciences can make to European policy. at sharing specialist knowledge and building We also launched the inaugural round of research links between the UK and other the prestigious South African Research countries, including China, Japan, Mexico Chairs Initiative offered under the Newton and Iran, explored issues such as poverty Fund in partnership with South Africa’s and social protection, cultural heritage, National Research Foundation. urban economies and city planning. Other events explored new approaches to early childhood development, the UK’s 68 policy towards the South China Sea, and new awards made by the Academy under investment in learning outcomes for socio- the Newton Fund economic development. A policy-oriented briefing, published in July, explored the state of UK-Iran academic collaboration and how it could be strengthened through £2.3m policy intervention, and a major Academy invested to promote the economic development and social welfare of report The Role of Religion in Conflict and 15 partner countries Peacebuilding, commissioned by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), was launched in September.

Early career scholars from the Middle East and Africa taking part in a research methods workshop at the CBRL Institute in Amman 18 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 19 44 £4m different countries have been supported funding PARTNERSHIP WITH DfID AGREED through our partnership and mobility scheme FOR GLOBAL ANTI-CORRUPTION research

Newton International Fellowships Anti-Corruption Evidence Partnership The past year has seen the institutes international conference on Cyprus and The (separate) Newton International In February the Academy announced the participate in multiple initiatives, Turkey: Regional Stability and Peace. It fellowship scheme, run jointly with the funding of eight new projects as part of maintaining their strong reputation for focused on alternative visions for the future Royal Society, made awards to 12 new a £4m global anti-corruption research innovative and collaborative research. by leading policy makers, including George early career researchers, enabling them scheme in partnership with the Department The British School at Athens, for instance, Papandreou, former Prime Minister of to spend two years being mentored by for International Development (DFID). Led continued its engagement with the Greece, and Hikmet Çetin, spokesperson of leading experts at universities across the by Professor Paul Heywood (University of Collaborative European Digital Archive the Turkish Parliament and former Minister UK. This year’s cohort included researchers Nottingham), the scheme provides support Infrastructure. Working to improve the of Foreign Affairs. conditions for historical scholarship in from Canada, , , Israel, Nigeria, for outstanding research teams, whose work The British School at Rome delivered the Europe by making more sources accessible Russia, Turkey and the United States and focuses on DFID priority countries where early phases of the Rome’s Mediterranean online, the School submitted important research projects ranging from African corruption is a major constraint. These Ports (RoMP) project. Funded by the historical documents from the First World farming systems to Italian musical culture two-year projects will explore and assess European Research Council, it allows War for digitisation. of the Trecento. anti-corruption policies and interventions researchers to have a better understanding in different countries, including Ghana, The British Institute at Ankara, in of the historic role played by ports in International Partnership and Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and collaboration with Cyprus Academic promoting the cohesion of the Roman Mobility scheme Bangladesh. Dialogue and others, convened a major Mediterranean during the Imperial era. This scheme supports collaborations between researchers based in the UK and British Academy Sponsored Institutes those based in Africa, Eurasia, Latin America and Societies (BASIS) and the Caribbean, the Middle East, South The Academy sponsors a network of British Asia, and East and South-East Asia. This institutes overseas engaged in research and year, 33 awards were made, including fieldwork across a range of humanities our first award for a partnership between and social science disciplines. They are researchers in the UK and Kazakhstan. the British Institute at Ankara; the British Institute in Eastern Africa; the British Since the scheme was started in 2012, Institute of Persian Studies; the British research partnerships between the UK School at Athens; the British School at and a total of 44 different countries have Rome; the British Institute in Amman; been supported. the Kenyon Institute in East Jerusalem; and the Society for Libyan Studies.

A major global anti-corruption research scheme is being run in partnership with DFID 20 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 21 ABOUT the academy

The British Academy is the UK’s expert Section meetings take place over three days body that supports and speaks for the in September and March where Fellows discuss a range of current issues and consider humanities and social sciences. We are candidates for election, with lunchtime an independent national academy of discussions and evening lectures and talks Fellows elected for their eminence in arranged to complement these gatherings. research and publication. These world At the Annual General Meeting each July leading experts are at the heart of all Fellows elect Council members, who are its our work. formal Trustees, and Officers to serve on the Management Advisory Committee. We endeavour to conduct all our business The Fellowship is organised into two Groups The Academy is critically dependent on in accordance with the seven principles (Humanities and Social Sciences) and 18 1,300 identified by the Committee on Standards the pro bono services of its Fellows who, UK and international scholars and Sections by academic discipline and subject. in Public Life and with the Guidance on In addition there are three ‘Ginger Groups’, whether as Officers, Chairs or members researchers are now academy fellows of the Sections, Committees and Sub- Codes of Practice for Board Members of set up to strengthen representation from Public Bodies, issued by the Cabinet Office. the fields of management and business committees, or as referees and assessors, perform a wide and crucial range of tasks studies; cultural, communications, media and 42 History performance studies; and education. for which they are wholly unremunerated new UK fellows are elected each year outside the recovery of their direct expenses. The creation of a British Academy ‘for the Promotion of Historical, Philosophical and The total Fellowship comprises some 1,300 Philological Studies’ was first proposed national and international scholars and in 1899 in order that Britain could be researchers, elected for life. Up to 42 new represented at a meeting of European and UK Fellows are elected each year, following American academies. The organisation, a rigorous process of scrutiny and election, which later became known simply as the plus up to 20 Corresponding Fellows British Academy, received a Royal Charter (based overseas). Honorary Fellows can from King Edward VII in 1902. also be elected. Since then, many of Britain’s most The Academy is a registered charity and distinguished scholars in the humanities receives public financial support from the and social sciences have been involved in Science and Research budget allocated by the life of the Academy. The roll call of an annual grant (currently £27m) from past Fellows includes many of the greatest the Department for Business, Innovation British names of the twentieth century, and Skills – and also receives support from such as the influential economists John private sources, and draws on its own funds. Maynard Keynes, Friedrich Hayek and

22 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 23 William Beveridge; the eminent thinkers increase income from private sources, a new Karl Popper and Isaiah Berlin; A J P Taylor, Development Board has been established to Kenneth Clark and Mortimer Wheeler, advise on fundraising strategy. Chaired by scholars who were also great communicators; Sir Victor Blank, it has a balance of external and C S Lewis and Henry Moore, Fellows members and Fellows with experience of who combined learning with creativity. fundraising for universities and cultural institutions, and our thanks go to all members The Academy’s home of the Board for their advice and guidance. In 1998, the Academy moved to its present With the support of the Development headquarters at 10 Carlton House Terrace. Board, Management Committee and One of London’s finest Georgian treasures, Council, the Academy is to launch a series the Terrace, which overlooks St James’s Park, of Challenges of Change – bespoke and was designed by John Nash and built in the targeted programmes of research, policy 1820s and 1830s. Number 10 was formerly work and public engagement activities on the London residence of the Ridley family key issues. Planned topics include the future and also housed a Hospital for Wounded of the corporation, ageing and democracy. Officers during the First World War. Number 11, now also occupied by the Academy, was During the year significant grants were from 1856 to 1875 the home of former secured from the Wolfson Foundation, for Prime Minister William Gladstone. refurbishment of the Wolfson Auditorium, from the Garfield Weston Foundation for Fundraising our new Rising Star Engagement Awards In 2015/16 the Academy successfully and from the Climate Change Collaboration increased the income it raised from for the Debates series on Energy and the philanthropic sources and is grateful for the Environment. Major support for Small support of a wide number of individuals Research Grants continues to come from and organisations. To further our plans to the Leverhulme Trust (£500,000) and with further new philanthropic agreements in place to support the scheme, a total of more than £700,000 of additional funding is now available for Small Research Grants each year. Gifts from Fellows have increased once again this year, with a total of 318 donations received. Thirty-one per cent of our UK Fellows gave philanthropically to the Academy in addition to their subscription. Donations were also received from 43 former award-holders, together with legacies from three estates, and a number of new legacy pledges were also confirmed.

Baroness Grey-Thompson taking part in an event celebrating the work of the Thank Offering to Britain Fund 24 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 25 NEW FELLOWS

Professor Professor Almut Hintze Professor Cheryl Schonhardt- At the July 2015 AGM, 42 candidates were elected to the Fellowship, bringing the Professor of Anthropology and Zartoshty Brothers Professor Bailey total number of UK Fellows to over 1,000 for the first time. Twenty candidates Forced Migration, University of of Zoroastrianism, SOAS, Professor in Political Science, LSE Oxford University of London Professor became Corresponding Fellows (for those resident outside the UK) and three Professor FRSE Professor John Hobson Professor of were elected Honorary Fellows. The formal admission ceremony for new Fellows Professor of Logic and Professor of Politics and and Professorial Fellow of Metaphysics, University of International Relations, St Anne’s College, University (pictured below) took place in September 2015. Edinburgh University of Sheffield of Oxford Professor Thomas Corns Professor James Hurford Professor Simon Swain Emeritus Professor of English Emeritus Professor of General Professor of Classics and Literature, Bangor University Linguistics, University of Greco-Arabic Studies, Pro-Vice- Professor Elizabeth Edwards Edinburgh Chancellor (Arts and Social Professor of Photographic Professor Robert Ladd Sciences), History and Director of the Emeritus Professor of Linguistics, Professor Nicholas Tarrier Photographic History Research University of Edinburgh Professor emeritus in Clinical Centre, De Montfort University Professor Psychology, university of Professor Briony Fer Professor of Legal History, LSE manchester Professor of Art History, Professor Professor University College London Professor of Modern Cultural Professor of Medieval German Professor Garth Fowden History, Literature and Fellow of Oriel Sultan Qaboos Professor of and Bailey Lecturer in History, College, University of Oxford Abrahamic Faiths, University of Gonville and Caius College Professor Cambridge Professor Professor of German History and Professor Robert Fowler Professor of the History and Thought, and Fellow of Gonville Henry Overton Wills Professor Politics of Modern China; and Caius College, University of of Greek, Deutsche Bank Director of Cambridge Professor the University China Centre, Professor Professorial Research Associate, University of Oxford Professor of Musicology, SOAS, study of religions, SOAS, Professor Kia Nobre University of London University of London; Recurrent Director, Oxford Centre for Professor Hugh Willmott Visiting Professor, Philosophy, Human Brain Activity (OHBA); Professor of Management, Cass King’s College London Professor of Translational Business School, City University Professor Andrew Gerstle Cognitive Neuroscience, London; Research Professor in Professor of Japanese Studies, University of Oxford Organisation Studies, Cardiff SOAS, University of London Professor Business School Professor Robert Gordon Rawlinson and Bosworth Serena Professor of Italian, and Professor of Anglo-Saxon and Fellow of Gonville and Caius Fellow of Pembroke College, College, University of Cambridge University of Oxford UK Fellows Professor Sanjeev Goyal Professor Michael Parker Pearson Professor of Economics and Professor of British Later Professor Professor Christine Bell Professor David Buckingham Fellow of Christ’s College, Prehistory, Institute of FMedSci Professor of Constitutional Law, Emeritus Professor of Media and University of Cambridge Archaeology, University College Emeritus Professor, University Assistant Principal and Executive Communications, Loughborough London College London; Visiting Director, Global Justice Academy, University; Visiting Professor, Dr Professor Stephen Reicher Professor, University of Oxford University of Edinburgh Sussex University and the Emeritus Fellow, Jesus College, Professor of Psychology, Norwegian Centre for Child University of Oxford Professor Professor Research Professor of Economics, Director Professor of Law and Pro- Professor Michael Heffernan Professor Gillian Rose of STICERD, LSE Director for Research, LSE Professor Professor of Historical Professor of Cultural Geography, Director and School Professor, LSE Geography, University of Professor Melanie Bartley Professor Nottingham The Emeritus Professor of Medical John Disney Professor of Professor , University College Archaeology and Director, Professor of Anthropology, London McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge 26 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 27 corresponding Fellows honorary fellows

Professor Professor Dame DBE Robert C Waggoner Professor of Arthur Kingsley Porter Professor Master of Pembroke College, Economics, ; of Philosophy, Harvard University Oxford Professeur au Collège de France Professor Michael Mann Dame DBE, FRSL sur la Chaire d’Economie des Distinguished Professor of Institutions, de l’Innovation, et Professor of Contemporary Sociology, University of California, and Creative Director of de la Croissance; Centennial Los Angeles; Honorary Professor, Profenewss fellowsor of 2015Economics, LSE the Manchester Writing School, University of Cambridge Manchester Metropolitan Professor Professor Judith Olszowy- University; Richard Clarke Cabot Professor Schlanger Sir CBE of Social Ethics, Harvard Professor of Hebrew and Judaeo- University Founder and Artistic Director Arabic Manuscript Studies, L’École of the Monteverdi Choir, the Professor Lina Bolzoni Pratique des Hautes Études English Baroque Soloists and Professor of Italian Literature, Professor Alexander Potts the Orchestre Révolutionnaire Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa Max Loehr Collegiate Professor et Romantique Professor of History of Art, University of Sadie Dernham Patek Professor in Michigan Humanities, Emerita, Professor of Professor Linguistics, Emerita, and Senior University Professor of History Researcher, CSLI, Stanford and Art History, University Professor Professor Maxine Elliot Professor of Marshall L Berkman Professor of Comparative Literature and Psychology, Harvard University Critical Theory, University of California, Berkeley Professor Research Professor of Law, Professor College of Law, Australian Senior Fellow, Center for National University; Ernest E Smith International Security and Professor of Law, University of Cooperation (CISAC), Freeman Texas Spogli Institute for International Studies; Professor of Political Professor Alain Supiot Science, Professor, Chaire État Social et Mondialisation, Collège de France, Professor Natalio Fernández Marcos Professor Vinculado ad Honorem, Professor André Vauchez CSIC (Consejo Superior de Emeritus Professor of History Investigaciones Científicas), of the Middle Ages, University of Centro de Ciencias Humanas y Paris-Ouest-Nanterre; Former Sociales, Madrid Director of the École Française de Rome Professor President, Professor Jane Waldfogel Compton Foundation Centennial Dr Miltiades Hatzopoulos Professor of Social Work, emeritus director of research, Columbia University; Visiting national hellenic research Professor, Centre for Analysis of foundation, athens Social Exclusion (CASE), LSE Professor Peter Katzenstein Walter S Carpenter Jr Professor of International Relations, Cornell University

28 British Academy Review of the Year 2015/16 The British Academy 10 -11 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5AH +44 (0)20 7969 5200 www.britishacademy.ac.uk Registered Charity: Number 233176