The role of learned societies in knowledge exchange and dissemination: the case of the Regional Studies Association, 1965–2005

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of learned societies in knowledge exchange and dissemination. It attempts to ‘map’ the organisations that are considered to reside under the term and discusses how they have developed through history. In doing so, it seeks to highlight that whilst several types of organisations inhabit the landscape of learned societies, they all share a commitment to knowledge exchange and dissemination. The paper then discusses the modern learned societies that were founded in twentieth‐century Britain and now exist alongside their organisational predecessors. It raises questions of whether these organisations exist for the benefit of their members or wider society. The paper then discusses change and development in learned societies in relation to its case study, the Regional Studies Association. The paper concludes by arguing that ‘learned society’ is an umbrella term for knowledge exchange and dissemination organisations whose functions are contextually specific and inextricably tied to the needs of their respective discipline, sub‐discipline or field of intellectual enquiry.

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