About us

The Academy pursues an interdisciplinary approach to medical science, bringing together the biological, physical, engineering and social sciences to address opportunities for innovation and barriers to progress.

Our portfolio of working group reports, consultation responses and discussion papers has established the Academy as a unique resource for independent, expert advice on medical science policy and career development.

All our projects are overseen by a Fellow of the Academy. Projects may arise from recommendations from the Academy’s Council or Fellowship, or in response to direct commissions and consultations from Government, Parliament and other relevant bodies. Many of our projects are undertaken in collaboration with other UK and international bodies such as charities, research funders, or industry. We regularly work in partnership with Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, Association of Medical Research Charities, the Medical Schools Council and other UK national academies.

Each year the Academy carries out a number of in-depth policy studies that culminate in the production of written reports representing the conclusions of an expert study group. These reports and recommendations are submitted to specific individuals and organisations with appropriate follow up work undertaken to ensure a genuine impact.

We also run symposia, workshops and conferences, as well as scientific lectures. These events provide unique opportunities to bring together the leading figures in the medical community with relevant sectors of society to progress discussions on the important medical issues of our time. 

We respond to emerging and topical issues with position papers, consultation responses, expert statements and comment released through the media in a timely fashion. Fast-moving issues are often addressed at short-notice by mobilising small working groups for a one-off meeting to produce briefing notes.

The Academy also supports the career development of high calibre young scientists in highly practical ways. Our acclaimed mentoring programme links Academy Fellows with early career stage clinical scientists to assist their personal and professional development. The Academy’s funding schemes focus on areas of specific and specialist need. We target our efforts to address shortages within key specialty areas, international collaboration and career development for clinician scientists.

The Academy’s FORUM with industry brings together biomedical scientists from academia and industry, and provides a place for debate on key issues at the industry-academe interface.