Modelled after the London-based Royal Society, the Wellington-based Royal Society of New Zealand was founded in 1851 and is the premier learned society in New Zealand. Currently constituted under the Royal Society of New Zealand Act 1997 the RSNZ exists to:
- To foster in the New Zealand community a culture that supports science and technology, including (without limitation) (i) The promotion of public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of science and technology; and (ii) The advancement of science and technology education:
- To encourage, promote, and recognise excellence in science and technology:
- To provide an infrastructure and other support for the professional needs and development of scientists and technologists:
- To provide expert advice on important public issues to the Government and the community:
- To do all other lawful things which the Council considers conducive to the advancement and promotion of science and technology in New Zealand.
It is a federation of 49 constituent scientific and technological organisations, and also several affiliate organisations, and it has individual members.
The RSNZ's activities encompass:
- Science Funding As a non-political funding distribution agency for government funding, particularly in science research and science education
- Publishing The RSNZ publishes such peer-reviewed journals as NZ Journal of Botany and NZ Journal of Zoology
- Meetings and Seminars Most local branches and constituent scientific and technological organisations run seminar series of some descriptions, and the RSNZ promotes these and coordinates touring international lecturers.
- Awards and Medals The RSNZ awards the Rutherford Medal (formerly the Gold Medal) and the Pickering Medal annually to recognise people who have made outstanding contributions to New Zealand society and culture in science, mathematics, social science, and technology. Silver and Bronze medals are also awarded.
- Science Education The RSNZ promotes quality science education and plays a role in setting the national science curriculum.
[edit] Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand
The Academy Council of the society from time to time elects as a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand any person who in its opinion "has achieved distinction in research or the advancement of science or technology". The number of Fellows is limited to such number as is agreed from time to time between the Academy Council and the Council of the society. A Fellow is entitled to use, in connection with his or her name, either the letters FRSNZ, which stand for Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, or such other letters or title as is agreed from time to time between the Academy Council and the Council.[1]
[edit] Constituent organisations
The society has relatively few direct members, with most membership being via constituent organisations. The constituent organisations of RSNZ are:
- Agronomy Society of New Zealand
- Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association (ANZEA)
- Association of Social Science Researchers
- Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (NZ Section)(ASCEPT)
- Geological Society of New Zealand
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute of Surveyors
- The Nutrition Society of New Zealand
- New Zealand Archaeological Association
- New Zealand Association for Research in Education
- New Zealand Association of Clinical Research
- NZ Association of Mathematics Teachers
- New Zealand Association of Science Educators
- New Zealand Association of Scientists
- New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- New Zealand Dietetic Association
- New Zealand Ecological Society
- New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society
- New Zealand Geographical Society
- New Zealand Geophysical Society
- NZ Geothermal Association
- New Zealand Grassland Association
- New Zealand Hydrological Society
- NZ Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science
- The New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology
- NZ Institute Economic Research
- The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
- New Zealand Institute of Forestry
- New Zealand Institute of Physics
- New Zealand Marine Sciences Society
- New Zealand Mathematical Society Inc.
- New Zealand Microbiological Society
- New Zealand Plant Protection Society
- New Zealand Psychological Society Incorporated
- New Zealand Society of Animal Production
- New Zealand Society of Endocrinology
- New Zealand Society for Oncology
- The New Zealand Society for Parasitology
- New Zealand Society of Plant Biologists (NZSPB)
- New Zealand Society of Soil Science
- New Zealand Statistical Association
- New Zealand Veterinary Association
- Operational Research Society of New Zealand
- The Physiological Society of New Zealand Incorporated
- Population Association of New Zealand
- Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand
- Association of Social Anthropologists of Aotearoa/New Zealand
- Sociological Association of Aotearoa NZ
- Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ)
[edit] Statement on Global Warming
On July 10, 2008, the Royal Society of New Zealand released a statement, which said in summary:
- The globe is warming because of increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Measurements show that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are well above levels seen for many thousands of years. Further global climate changes are predicted, with impacts expected to become more costly as time progresses. Reducing future impacts of climate change will require substantial reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Royal Society of New Zealand Act 1997, Section 10.
- ^ Climate change statement from the Royal Society of New Zealand, Press Release, 2009-07-01, retrieved 2009-10-10, The Royal Society of New Zealand.
[edit] External links
