Commonwealth Academy (New Virginia)

Commonwealth Academy

Arms of the Commonwealth Academy Gules, on a pile Or an oak leaf of the first, in chief two feathers of the second For a crest, a demi-lion rampant queue-fourchée langued and armed Gules holding in both paws a book of the same
Formation	3 October 2020
Type	National academy
Purpose	Science medicine, and technology Humanities and Social Sciences Administration, law, and public service Arts, Music, and literature Business and economic development
Membership (_year)	membership
Patron	Brooklyn Hewitt
President	Vacant

The Commonwealth Academy is a learned society and New Virginia's national academy of sciences and letters. It was established by an Act of Parliament in 2020 as an non-executive public body, operating for public good but independent from the political institutions of the Commonwealth.

The Academy covers a broader selection of fields than many national academies. Fellowship is available to those who specialisms include science, medicine, and technology; humanities and Social Sciences; administration, law, and public service; arts, Music, and literature.; and business and economic development. The President of New Virginia serves ex officio as the Patron of the Commonwealth Academy.

Purposes

The Academy has four fundamental objectives defined at its establishment:

1. To encourage and contribute to the development of research, innovation, and useful knowledge to the benefit of the Commonwealth and the broader flourishing of humanity.
2. To champion New Virginian research, identify and recognize the Commonwealth’s skilled researchers, and to develop means by which they can be promoted and supported.
3. To promote awareness of the value and enrichment of the sciences and humanities and to encourage interest in academic pursuits to all.
4. To encourage and contribute to a high standard of public debate by supporting robust scholarship, quality discussion, and public engagement with academic questions of public benefit and import.

Fellowship

Election as a Fellow of the Commonwealth Academy is open to any person in good standing in recognition of work associated with a particular discipline. Fellows are elected into one of the following disciplinary specialisms:

• Science, medicine, and technology
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Administration, law, and public service
• Arts, Music, and literature
• Business and economic development

Fellows are elected by existing members upon the recommendation of two existing members in good standing. Eligible criteria for election includes published work or completed public projects demonstrating original or impactful research, contributions to the discipline’s promotion or development, distinction in public service which demonstrates distinction within their discipline, or holding an academic position which demonstrates potential to contribute to the Academy’s objectives. Elected Fellows are entitled to use the post-nominals FCA.

Governance

The Academy is a self-governing body which retains the right to structure its office bearers and activities according to its own internal constitution. According to the Act of Parliament, two key office bearer positions are established permanently:

• The Patron: The Patron is the ceremonial head of the Academy with responsibility for its public promotion and visibility. The President of the Commonwealth of New Virginia serves ex officio as the Patron of the Commonwealth Academy, currently Brooklyn Hewitt.

• The President: The President of the Commonwealth Academy is the Academy's Chief Executive Officer and ultimately responsible for its good management. The President is elected annually by the Fellows.