Australian Council of Learned Academies
Bridging the disciplines for informed public policy
The five Members of the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) hold the individual formal recognition as Learned Academy by the Australian Government through recognition under the Higher Education Support Act (HESA) – Australian Academy of the Humanities, Australian Academy of Science, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Our Associate Members of ACOLA participate in our projects and activities, with Fellows receiving invitations to contribute or participate in our expert working groups and expert discussions on issues.
Australian Academy of Science
The Australian Academy of Science provides independent, authoritative and influential scientific advice, promotes international scientific engagement, builds public awareness and understanding of science, and champions, celebrates and supports excellence in Australian science. The Academy was established by Royal Charter in 1954 and is comprised of over 530 Fellows elected for their outstanding contributions to science. To find out more about the Academy’s work and leadership in school STEM education, science communication and advocacy, and its commitment to improving diversity and inclusion at all levels of STEM, go to www.science.org.au.
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
The Academy (ASSA) promotes excellence in the social sciences and in their contribution to public policy.
The social sciences are a group of like-minded academic disciplines that work on systematic development of logic and evidence to understand human behaviour in its social setting, including the nature of economic, political, and community activity and institutions.
ASSA is an independent, interdisciplinary body of over 650 Fellows, elected by their peers for their distinguished achievements and exceptional contributions across 18 disciplines.
ASSA coordinates the promotion of research, teaching and advice in the social sciences, promotes national and international scholarly cooperation across disciplines and sectors, comments on national needs and priorities in the social sciences and provides advice to government on issues of national importance.
Established in 1971, replacing its parent body the Social Science Research Council of Australia, founded in 1942, ASSA is an autonomous, non-governmental organisation, devoted to the advancement of knowledge and research in the various social sciences.
Australian Academy of the Humanities
The Australian Academy of the Humanities (AAH) is the national body for the humanities in Australia, championing the contribution that humanities, arts and culture make to national life. It provides independent and authoritative advice, including to government, to ensure ethical, historical and cultural perspectives inform discussions regarding Australia’s future challenges and opportunities. It promotes and recognises excellence in the disciplines that provide the nation’s expertise in culture, history, languages, linguistics, philosophy and ethics, archaeology and heritage. The Academy plays a unique role in promoting international engagement and research collaboration, and investing in the next generation of humanities researchers.
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering is an independent thinktank that helps Australians understand and use technology to solve complex problems.
We bring together Australia’s leading experts in applied science, technology and engineering to provide impartial, practical and evidence-based advice on how to achieve sustainable solutions and advance prosperity. The Academy contributes robust and practical thinking to Australia’s big debates. We are a Learned Academy made up of almost 900 Fellows elected by their peers.
Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences
The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) is the impartial, authoritative, cross-sector voice of health and medical science in Australia. It is an independent, interdisciplinary body of Fellows – elected by their peers for their outstanding achievements and exceptional contributions to health and medical science in Australia. Collectively, they are a representative and independent voice, through which they engage with the community, industry and governments.
The Academy is uniquely positioned to convene cross-sector stakeholders from across Australia to address the most pressing health challenges facing society. They focus on the development of future generations of health and medical researchers, on providing independent advice to government and others on issues relating to evidence based medical practice and medical researchers, and on providing a forum for discussion on progress in medical research with an emphasis on translation of research into practice.