The term of this Office is five years with the possibility to be re-elected for a second five-year term.
This is a senior position and requires significant commitment in terms of time and intellect.
Council delegates the creation of the programme of the scientific meetings of the Society to the Secretaries, and numerous additional tasks. The relevant extract from the Byelaws (revised 2025), copied below, sets out the role.
In addition to the creation of the scientific programme the Secretaries are required to participate in the grants and awards committees and attend various other meetings and committees of the Society.
Ideally the incumbent for the position of Secretary should:
• have a broad and current view of research in the A and/or G disciplines, and familiarity with the community represented by the RAS in Universities and/or Research Institutes, and their practices.
• have experience serving on grant awarding bodies of any kind.
The position requires a time commitment of two to three days a month (that will include attendance at all
Council and Officers meetings, attendance at other committee meetings) and significant email engagement with RAS staff and other committees.
The Byelaws SECTION VI – The Council (revised 2025) states that:
21.3 The Council shall consist of:
21.3.4 not more than three Secretaries;
(collectively referred to as the Officers),
21.4 All Council Members shall be Fellows.
A Secretary whom the Council has deemed to have grossly neglected or misconducted their duties shall be removed from the post.