The Academy recognises the importance of translating and applying the wealth of knowledge generated through academic research in a way that is tangible and accessible to the wider public and which highlights the contribution of the sciences, humanities and social sciences to Ireland’s social, economic and cultural well-being.

 

RIA Life Sciences Expert Statements – February 2011

The RIA Life Sciences Committee has instituted a series of Expert Statements with the aim of informing a general readership on complex societal topics which draw on research and scholarship in the Life Sciences. The Statements will focus on topics including functional foods, gene therapy, stem cells used in medical treatments, the clash between biofuel and food production, diet and obesity.

The first statement, The Need for Life Sciences in Ireland, was prepared by Prof. Alexander Evans, University College Dublin and is now available.

 

 

EASAC Science Policy Dialogue Project

National Academies are an excellent resource of independent scientific knowledge and expertise. Yet this resource is not always used by policy-makers when important decisions need to be taken, where science plays an important role. In the project “Science-Policy-Dialogue”, the academies of EASAC are trying to address this situation. The National Academies of EU member states, including the Royal Irish Academy, are working together to improve their dialogue with policy-makers – both on a national and on an EU-level. Drafting a ‘Good Practice’ guidance for academies, they are not only strengthening the quality of their dialogue with policy-makers and opinion-formers but also invigorating and deepening the co-operation within their own network. For more information on this project please visit the EASAC Science Policy Dialogue Project at: http://www.easac.eu/home/dialogue-project.html

EASAC Science Policy Dialogue – draft guidance on Good Practice in Dialogue between Academies and Policy Communities (October 2011). This working document is intended as a source of information for Academies and other scientific bodies about good practice in providing science to policy makers.

 

 

Geoscience Towards a Smarter Economy: the potential economic impact of geoscience up to 2012

Published online: 2010
This publication sets out the priorities for Geoscience research, services, education and outreach to 2012 and the impact these may have in the period up to 2020. This is a joint publication of the Academy Committee for Geoscience, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland. Download report  Download report

 

 

Archaeology in Ireland: A Vision for the Future

Published online: 2007
This report discusses the current state of, and future prospects for, archaeological research in Ireland from the perspective of archaeological academics, researchers, practitioners and policymakers. Download report

 

 

 

Putting our Knowledge of the Earth to work for Ireland: National Geosciences Programme, 2007-2013

Published online: 2007
The 2007 National Geosciences Programme is a joint publication of the Academy Committee for Geosciences and the Geological Survey of Ireland. It looks to position the geoscience sector in support of Ireland’s knowledge economy and the objectives expressed in the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Download programme

 

 

Language Policy and Language Planning in Ireland: A report from the RIA Committee for Modern Language, Literary & Cultural Studies

Published online: 2006
The report discusses the need for, and role of, a language policy in Ireland and draws on the proceedings of the February 2006 conference organised by the Academy Committee for Modern Languages. Download report

 

 

 

 

The State of the Art: Literary Production in Ireland

Published online: 2006
This report draws on a conference organised by the Academy Committee for Literatures in English to explore the conditions under which literary production in the English language takes place in contemporary Ireland and to offer recommendations to encourage literary activity. Download report

 

 

Natural History Museum – Present status and future needs

Published online: 2005
This report provides a concise statement of what needs to be done to the National History Museum to establish it as a properly endowed national institution. The initiative for this report came from members of the Academy’s Life Sciences Committee (formerly known as the National Committee for Biology).  Download report