Reports & publications

Drug Resistance in Infectious Agents – A Global Threat to Humanity

This statement recommends a more considered approach to current and future drugs, with strategies defined in guidelines issued by each G8 member, in order to ensure that drugs such as antibiotics remain effective for longer.

Driving Sustainable Development: the role of Science, Technology and Innovation

The statement explains how science and research can contribute to ensuring sustainable development and asserts that many of the most pressing global challenges can only be met through a systematic approach and by including the global scientific community in the relevant processes.

UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

A statement prepared for the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction on human resilience to climate change and climate-related disasters.

Government consultation on strategic priorities in science and research funding

A submission to the Director General of Knowledge and Innovation from The Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy and the Royal Academy of Engineering, responding to the Government’s consultation on strategic priorities in science and research funding in a joint letter. 

Fuelling prosperity: Research and innovation as drivers of UK growth and competitiveness

A statement which recommends that the Government enhances its support for research and innovation with a long-term vision for the UK’s knowledge economy.

Triennial Review of the Research Councils

A letter in response to the triennial review of the Research Councils.

Leading the way: Progress report

A review of the progress of the Leading the way diversity programme.

Brain Waves: The Chemical Weapons Convention

On 18 February 2013, the Royal Society held a seminar at the headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to inform preparations for the third Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in April 2013.

Business, Innovation and Skills Committee (Commons): Open Access

A letter to the chair of the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee on the inquiry into Open Access.

S&T Committee (Lords): Open Access

A letter to the chair of the House of Lords Science & Technology Committee on the inquiry into Open Access.

Egypt

A case study of Egypt's science and innovation system, which was prepared as part of the Atlas of Islamic-World Science and Innovation project.

Human enhancement and the future of work

A report from a workshop which explored potential enhancements arising from advances in science and engineering that are likely to impact on the future of work.

Prime Minister: EU Multiannual Financial Framework

A letter to the Prime Minister urging him to safeguard funding for research in the upcoming negotiations for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) of the European budget.

Letter to the NERC on plans to merge BAS and NOC

A letter to the Natural Environment Research Council on plans to merge the British Antarctic Survey and National Oceanographic Centre

Shale gas extraction in the UK

A review conducted with the Royal Academy of Engineering of the scientific and engineering evidence of the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing as a means to extract shale gas.

Science as an open enterprise

A report which analyses the impact of new and emerging technologies that are transforming the conduct and communication of research.

Building Resilience to Disasters of Natural and Technological Origin

A statement issued with other science academies on building resilience to disasters. 

Energy and Water Linkage: Challenge to a Sustainable Future

A statement issued with other science academies on the interaction between meeting energy needs and assuring water availability.

Improving Knowledge of Emissions and Sinks of Greenhouse Gases

A statement issued with other science academies on natural and human caused sources and sinks of greenhouse gases.

People and the planet

A report on how global population and consumption are linked, and the implications for a finite planet.

Brain Waves 3 : Neuroscience, conflict and security

A report that considers some of the potential military and law enforcement applications arising from key advances in neuroscience.

S&T Committee (Commons): Commercialisation of research

A submission to the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee on the commercialisation of research.

Shut down or restart?

A report on the way forward for computing in UK schools.

S&T Committee (Commons): Higher education in STEM

A letter to the chair of the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee on the inquiry into higher education in STEM subjects. 

Brain Waves 4: Neuroscience and the law

A report that sets out some of the areas where neuroscience might be of relevance to the law, along with some of the limits to its application.