Nā Te Tumu Whakahaere | Chief Executive update

Professor Jacky Bowring is in the School of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University; Professor Paora Tapsell is Chair of Māori Studies at the University of Otago; and Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr is captain of the oceangoing waka Haunui—our warmest welcome to the Society.  View details about our new Companions.

It has also been a great pleasure to welcome Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding formally to the role of President of the Society and to have the opportunity to travel with Jane to the UK during July for meetings with colleagues in the academies there.

As mentioned in the June newsletter, our international connections are extremely important in enabling sharing of ideas, information and solutions to issues; and broadening our networks and hence opportunities for activities developed in partnership.

While in the UK, Jane and I had meetings with colleagues in the Royal Society of London, the British Academy, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Social Sciences, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Irish Academy and the Learned Society of Wales.

I am grateful for the warmth of the reception we experienced in every organisation, for the openness of the discussions and willingness of everyone to share their experiences, knowledge and information.

Discussion topics included maximising engagement of membership for mutual benefit, supporting early and mid-career researchers, informing and influencing public policy and impactful public engagement on issues.  We came away with a number of very helpful materials and ideas.  One presentation in particular sticks in my mind: The Young Academy of Scotland.

The Young Academy of Scotland was established in 2011 by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. We asked for their reflections on the benefits and value experienced since its inception - the response was overwhelmingly positive and compelling. It painted a picture of a pool of energetic, hardworking and engaged individuals who are bringing valuable perspectives to the Society and, in turn, are gaining important experience and mentoring in the development of their own leadership skills.  A comment that stuck in my mind is that there is “such benefit in nurturing intergenerational relationships”. The Young Academy within the Society was a significant part of enabling that.

In closing, here are a couple of examples of our international partnerships and the significant work being done through them:

One of the international collaborations I mentioned in the June newsletter is our partnership with the Royal Society of Canada and the Australian Academy of Science. This Tri-Academy Partnership is focused on Indigenous Engagement. Details of the inaugural meeting are now available at: A Research Summit on Cultural Heritage in an Era of Reconciliation. The event is being held in Vancouver from 4 to 6 November 2024.

The Pacific Academy of Sciences will officially launch at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October. I am delighted that we have been able to play a key role in the establishment of this important Academy through our close partnership with the ISC Regional Focal Point: Asia-Pacific and the Australian Academy of Science.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Paul Atkins
Chief Executive