United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the Leopoldina works with a range of academies. Its most important partner is the Royal Society. Their cooperation includes scientific exchange on current research topics, high-level event formats, and joint engagement in international policy advice and science diplomacy.
Last edited: 15. June 2026
Markus Scholz | Leopoldina
The Leopoldina’s links with the United Kingdom go back a long way, and distinguished British scientists continue to be among its members today.
The Royal Society as the Principal Partner
Through their cooperation, the Leopoldina and the Royal Society strengthen scientific exchange between Germany and the United Kingdom. A particular current focus is research security, on which the two academies launched a joint round-table series in November 2025. In addition, the Leopoldina and the Royal Society organise scientific symposia and specialist events on current topics across a range of disciplines.
International Policy Advice and Science Diplomacy
The Leopoldina and the Royal Society also work together in international policy advice, for example through statements for the G7 and G20 summits of heads of state and government, as well as in bilateral and European debates on science policy issues.
The two academies also cooperate in multilateral science diplomacy initiatives, for example in the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans and in support of Ukrainian science following the start of Russia’s war of aggression.
Joint Engagement in International Networks
The two academies also coordinate regularly with regard to their engagement in international forums. Both institutions are active, for example, in EASAC, ALLEA, IAP and ISC.
Impressions
Roundtable „The Royal Society and the Leopoldina joint roundtable on Research Security”, 5. November 2025, Britische Botschaft Berlin
5. Gemeinsame Wissenschaftskonferenz des Berlin Prozesses Westbalkan „Fresh Expectations for Research and Education Across Europe“, 28. – 30. Mai 2019, London, UK
9. Gemeinsame Wissenschaftskonferenz des Berlin Prozesses Westbalkan „Science under Pressure – Challenges and Opportunities“, 14.-16. Oktober 2025, Ljubljana, Slowenien. v.l.n.r. I.E. Jerneja Jug Jerše, Leiterin der Vertretung der Europäischen Kommission in Slowenien, I.E. Sylvia Groneick, Deutsche Botschafterin in Slowenien, I.E. Victoria Harrison, Britische Botschafterin in Slowenien, Prof. Alison Noble, Foreign Secretary, The Royal Society
5. Gemeinsame Wissenschaftskonferenz des Berlin Prozesses Westbalkan „Fresh Expectations for Research and Education Across Europe“, 28. – 30. Mai 2019, London, UK v.l.n.r. S.E. Andrej Zhernovski, Stellvertretender Außenminister, Republik Nordmazedonien; Julie Maxton, Executive Director, The Royal Society; Carole Mundell, Wissenschaftliche Chefberaterin, Britisches Außen- und Commonwealth-Ministerum; S.E. Botschafter Wiesław Tarka, Koordinator des Poznań Westbalkan Gipfels, Außenministerium der Republik Polen
Further information
Kontakt Dr. Ruth Narmann
