Academy of Medical Sciences

Academy of Medical Sciences. The Academy of Medical Sciences is a prestigious independent body in the United Kingdom that promotes advances in medical science and campaigns to ensure these are translated into benefits for patients and wider society. It provides expert, evidence-based advice to policymakers in the UK Government, the National Health Service and other organisations. The Academy also supports the development of a thriving research environment and fosters the next generation of medical researchers across the United Kingdom and beyond.

History

The Academy was established in 1998 following a review by the President of the Royal Society, which recommended the creation of a new academy specifically for medical science. Its formation was championed by leading figures including Sir David Weatherall and Sir Michael Marmot. Initially operating from offices provided by the Royal Society, it gained a Royal Charter in 2003, formally recognising its role as an independent national academy. Key milestones in its development include establishing major policy programmes and forging significant partnerships with institutions like the Wellcome Trust and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Membership

Election to Fellowship is a mark of exceptional achievement, with members selected for their outstanding contributions to advancing medical science, pioneering innovative research, or translating discoveries into patient benefits. The Fellowship comprises over 1,300 of the UK's most prominent biomedical and health researchers from across academia, the National Health Service, industry, and the public sector. New Fellows are elected annually through a rigorous peer-review process, joining a community that includes numerous recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the Copley Medal, and other honours like the Lasker Award.

Activities and programmes

Its core activities centre on providing independent, authoritative advice to inform health policy, which it delivers through reports, workshops, and formal inquiries for bodies such as the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. Major programmes include supporting early-career researchers through schemes like the Springboard Awards and engaging the public on issues from antimicrobial resistance to genome editing. The Academy also organises influential policy forums and international summits, often in collaboration with partners like the Medical Research Council and the World Health Organization.

Governance and structure

The Academy is governed by a Council, led by the President, currently Professor Dame Anne Johnson. The Council includes the Registrar, Treasurer, and several Vice-Presidents, who oversee specific areas such as clinical research, non-clinical research, and international affairs. Key operational divisions are managed by a professional executive team based at its headquarters in London. Strategic direction is also shaped by specialised committees focusing on areas like finance, nominations, and policy, ensuring alignment with its Royal Charter objectives.

Notable members

The Fellowship includes many luminaries of medical science. Pioneers such as Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe, renowned for his work on cellular oxygen sensing, and Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who led the development of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, are elected Fellows. Other distinguished members include epidemiologist Professor Sir Michael Marmot, geneticist Professor Sir John Bell, and neuroscientist Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell. The roster also features past presidents like Sir Robert Lechler and influential figures from industry and the National Health Service.