Governance
The Royal Irish Academy (RIA) is an independent, all-island learned society established under Charter in 1785. It has approximately 650 Members, chosen for their distinguished contributions to scholarship and research in the sciences, humanities, social sciences and public service. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.
The RIA is governed by its President and Council who, in accordance with the founding Charter, are elected by the Members at a general meeting held in the spring of each year.
The Royal Charter (1786) sets out the overarching governance structures that remain in place today, while the By-laws provide the rules and regulations under which the Academy operates. Read The Charter and By-laws.
The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Council is responsible to the Academy for its general government and strategic direction and is composed of eleven Members representing the Scientific disciplines and ten representing the Humanities (known as Polite Literature and Antiquities, or PL&A). Leading Council is the President, who is supported by the Officers, Senior Vice-President and Vice-Presidents.
Formal governance committees of Council include the Executive Committee, the Audit & Risk Committee, and the Finance & Investment Committee. The day-to-day management, control and direction of the Royal Irish Academy are the responsibility of the Executive Director and the senior management team (SMT). The Executive Director and the SMT must follow the broad strategic direction set by the Council and, must ensure that all Council members have a clear understanding of the key activities and decisions related to the Royal Irish Academy. The Academy operates under an oversight agreement with the HEA and adheres to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016).