FST JOURNAL

Journal readers will be familiar with the Foundation’s role in providing an impartial platform for debate of policy issues that have a science, research, technology or innovation element. Journal readers may be less familiar with an equally important aspect of the Foundation’s work: supporting learned and professional societies with governance, regulatory and policy matters.

 The Foundation was originally established to support the work of learned and professional societies and has consequently been advising such societies for almost 50 years. Today, we support over 90 learned and professional societies across a range of sectors, including engineering, mathematics, philosophy, transport, healthcare and more. 

How it started

The Foundation was established in 1977 to deliver the vision of a London Science Centre for learned and professional societies – a physical base to share accommodation and facilities all under one roof. By the 1980s, the Foundation provided meeting space in London for learned and professional societies, as well as organising informational seminars and other events for them.

Although the Foundation stopped providing meeting space in the 1990s, its work to provide advice and guidance to learned and professional societies continued, alongside the expansion of other activities. In 1997, the first specialist Learned and Professional Societies Officer, Keith Lawrey, was appointed to lead this work. The role consisted of organising seminars and events, organising surveys, providing advice on governance and other matters, and producing a regular newsletter. Lawrey also produced many guidance notes on a range of governance issues.

 In recent years, the support provided by the Foundation has evolved. The initial demand for seminars fell away as other providers entered the marketplace and more information became available online. Similarly, the annual survey of learned societies was phased out as it was no longer needed. As a result, the Foundation’s work to support learned and professional societies became more focussed on providing discrete guidance to those organisations.

 How does the Foundation help learned and professional societies today?

 The most valuable - and sought-after - part of this work continues to be the 1:1 support that the Foundation provides to learned and professional societies.

 The Foundation advises on a wide range of regulatory, governance and policy matters - from Royal Charters to disciplinary issues, from changing governance documents to data protection. We receive regular enquiries from senior leaders, trustees and board members, as well as governance and policy managers at organisations.

 Common queries include how to obtain or amend a Royal Charter (including the process involved and likely timescales) charity registration, managing potential conflicts of interest, and reviewing governance documents. Lately, the Foundation has been receiving an increasing number of queries regarding AI, such how use of AI intersects with the obligations in a society’s code of conduct. The types of questions we receive range from straightforward to tricky to completely left field. While no two queries are the same, the Foundation has built up a wealth of experience over the years that enables us to assist members with finding the right answer, developing a pragmatic and practical way forward, and – in the event we can’t help – signposting to other relevant sources of advice.

 What are the other benefits for member societies?

 Learned and professional society member organisations pay an annual subscription, which gives them access to the bespoke support provided by the Foundation. Subscribing members also have access to 48 guidance notes produced by the Foundation, which are available in the members’ area of the Foundation website. The guidance notes cover governance, legal and regulatory topics that are relevant to member organisations, including charity and company law matters, Royal Charters, data protection, insurance, professional and ethical conduct, and more.

 Members also receive the Foundation’s quarterly newsletter. This provides editorial content on administrative and governance matters, as well as updates on news, court and tribunal decisions, and reports that will be of interest and relevance to readers. Foundation newsletters from 2018 onwards are available on the website for download by members only.

 Collaborating with others

Collaboration rather than competition has been the rule of the Foundation’s activities. Over the years we have partnered with a huge range of organisations, including the Geological Society, the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry and many others. We are always on the lookout for organisations to partner with, so if you’re interested in collaborating with us by hosting or sponsoring an event, contributing to our journal or podcast, or working with us on another activity, we would love to hear from you. 

How can I find out more?

 Lori Frecker, Learned and Professional Societies Liaison Officer, is happy to answer any questions you may have. You can contact her by email: Lori.Frecker@foundation.org.uk