Academies seek to influence Brexit talks

The British Academy, the Learned Society of Wales, the Royal Irish Academy and the Royal Society of Edinburgh have asked the UK government to involve them in the Brexit negotiations.

The four academies said they were “ready to engage” with the government as it negotiates with the European Union. The academies are not formally represented in the Brexit advisory group set up by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to address how leaving the EU would impact UK research and universities.

“We welcome the statement in the Queen’s speech that the government intends widespread consultation as the negotiations proceed,” the learned societies said in a statement on 3 August. “This is vital when so many diverse interests are involved and when the constitutional implications are complex and challenging.”