The impact academies can have on current policy debates was one of the issues discussed at a meeting between the Learned Society of Wales and New Zealand’s Royal Society Te Apārangi today.

The visit from by Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding and Paul Atkins, President and Chief Executive of Royal Society Te Apārangi gave an opportunity to discuss a range of issues common to both academies. These include governance, international connections and how to improve levels of engagement with the work we both do.

“We have built up excellent relations with societies via the Celtic Academies Alliance,” said Professor Hywel Thomas, President of the LSW.

“As a small nation, this helps to amplify our voice. The opportunity to broaden these types of connections with international partners is a great way to extend that work.

“There is considerable similarity in how both we and Royal Society Te Apārangi describe our roles, so meetings such as this are a valuable way for us to reflect on our own practices.”