A learned society ( / ˈ l ɜːr n ɪ d / ; also scholarly , intellectual , or academic society ) is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline , profession , or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and sciences . Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honour conferred by election.
17-490: The Royal Australian Chemical Institute ( RACI ) is both the qualifying body in Australia for professional chemists and a learned society promoting the science and practice of chemistry in all its branches. The RACI hosts conferences, seminars and workshops. It is the professional body for chemistry in Australia, with the ability to award the status of Chartered Chemist (CChem) to suitably qualified candidates. The RACI
34-496: A particular subject or discipline, provided they pay their membership fees. Older and more academic/professional societies may offer associateships and/or fellowships to fellows who are appropriately qualified by honoris causa , or by submission of a portfolio of work or an original thesis. A benefit of membership may be discounts on the subscription rates for the publications of the society. Many of these societies award post-nominal letters to their memberships. The membership at
51-781: Is a magazine published by the RACI monthly. It contains news, reviews of books and chemical software, as well as reports and stories aimed at a broad chemical audience. It is free to read online, and also available as a hard copy for members. It was established in 1934 as the Journal and Proceedings of the Australian Chemical Institute . The Chemical Education Division publishes the Australian Journal of Education in Chemistry ( ISSN 1445-9698 ). It
68-421: Is awarded for the most outstanding PhD thesis submitted by a member. The thesis must be completed under the auspices of an Australian university. The medal is named after Sir John Cornforth , the only Australian Nobel Prize winner in chemistry. The Rennie Memorial Medal is awarded to a member with less than 8 years of professional experience since completing their most recent relevant qualification, who has made
85-580: Is the premier award of the Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology Division and is given for sustained, outstanding research in the field of medicinal or agricultural chemistry or chemical biology. The research upon which the award is made must be conducted wholly, or largely, within Australia and New Zealand . Learned society Most learned societies are non-profit organizations , and many are professional associations . Their activities typically include holding regular conferences for
102-400: Is the premier award of the RACI. It is awarded annually to a member who has contributed most to the development of a branch of chemical science, judged by their publication record during the ten years (or equivalent relative to opportunity) preceding the award. The recipient is required to be a current member for a minimum of 3 years. Notable recipients of the award include: The Cornforth Medal
119-804: The American Association for the Advancement of Science , specific to a given discipline, such as the Modern Language Association , or specific to a given area of study, such as the Royal Entomological Society . Most are either specific to a particular country (e.g. the Entomological Society of Israel ), though they generally include some members from other countries as well, often with local branches, or are international, such as
136-554: The Green and Sustainable Chemistry (GASC) National Group was established. In addition to the divisions having organised conferences, they have co-operated in running occasional national conventions since 1953. A member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute is designated with the honorific postnominal "MRACI". As the professional body for chemistry in Australia, the institute is empowered to award
153-969: The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions or the Regional Studies Association , in which case they often have national branches. But many are local, such as the Massachusetts Medical Society , the publishers of the internationally known The New England Journal of Medicine . Some learned societies (such as the Royal Society Te Apārangi ) have been rechartered by legislation to form quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations . Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election. Some societies offer membership to those who have an interest in
170-1149: The World Association in Economics is free of cost. Following the globalization and the development of information technology, certain scholarly societies—such as the Modern Language Association—have created virtual communities for their members. In addition to established academic associations, academic virtual communities have been so organized that, in some cases, they have become more important platforms for interaction and scientific collaborations among researchers and faculty than have traditional scholarly societies. Members of these online academic communities, grouped by areas of interests, use for their communication shared and dedicated listservs (for example JISCMail ), social networking services (like Facebook or LinkedIn ) and academic oriented social networks (like Humanities Commons, ResearchGate , Mendeley or Academia.edu ). Oll%C3%A9 Prize Too Many Requests If you report this error to
187-481: The sociology of science argue that learned societies are of key importance and their formation assists in the emergence and development of new disciplines or professions. In the form of professional associations, they can assist in the creation of pathways to leadership. The World Association in Economics provides help to the members of the WAE on the following issues: Societies can be very general in nature, such as
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#1732783331700204-446: The most significant contribution to chemical science. The Leighton Memorial Medal is awarded to individuals in recognition of eminent services to chemistry in Australia. The Ollé Prize for a member of the institute who submits the "best treatise, writing or paper" on any subject relevant to the institute's interests. The Adrien Albert award recognises the enormous contributions made by Prof. Adrien Albert to medicinal chemistry. It
221-769: The presentation and discussion of new research results, and publishing or sponsoring academic journals in their discipline. Some also act as professional bodies, regulating the activities of their members in the public interest or the collective interest of the membership. Some of the oldest learned societies are the Académie des Jeux floraux (founded 1323), Sodalitas Litterarum Vistulana (founded 1488), Accademia della Crusca (founded 1583), Accademia dei Lincei (founded 1603), Académie Française (founded 1635), German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (founded 1652), Royal Society (founded 1660) and French Academy of Sciences (founded 1666). Scholars in
238-608: The status of Chartered Chemist ("CChem") to suitably qualified candidates. Election to Fellow of the institute ("FRACI") is dependent on a position of eminence, services rendered, academic honours, experience and status, creative achievement, responsibility and contribution to chemical science, and recommendation by the RACI Assessment Committee. The institute also accepts undergraduate and postgraduate student members, associate members, school affiliate members, and industry affiliate members. Chemistry in Australia
255-555: Was formally called Chemeda: The Australian Journal of Chemical Education . It includes articles on chemical education at all levels in schools and universities, including experiments from the Australasian Chemistry Enhanced Laboratory Learning (ACELL) Project. The RACI grants several annual awards at branch, divisional, and national levels. A selection of the more prestigious awards is outlined below. The H. G. Smith Memorial Award
272-732: Was formed as the Australian Chemical Institute in Sydney in September 1917. The driving force was David Orme Masson , professor of chemistry at the University of Melbourne . It was incorporated under the Companies Act in New South Wales in 1923. It was given a royal charter in 1932, but it was not until a supplementary royal charter in 1953 that "Royal" was added to the title of the institute. It moved to Melbourne in 1934. It
289-542: Was incorporated in Victoria in 2000. Since 1993, the institute has had its office at 21 Vale Street, North Melbourne , VIC 3051, Australia. The RACI is a member of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), and the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS). It has branches in all states and territories in Australia and divisions for the following areas of chemistry: In 2022,
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