Learned Society of Wales
The Learned Society of Wales (Cymdeithas Ddysgedig Cymru) is Wales’s national academy, learned society and charity. It was established and launched on 25 May 2010 at the National Museum of Wales and was granted a Royal Charter in 2015. Based in Cardiff, it operates across Wales in English and Welsh as an independent, self‑governing, pan‑disciplinary, bilingual organisation and is a founding member of the Celtic Academies Alliance.
Its aim is to celebrate and promote excellence in all scholarly disciplines and to support education, research, culture, the environment and economic development within Wales and beyond.
The society has more than 700 Fellows from all branches of learning. Fellows are Welsh-connected individuals with a record of excellence or a significant contribution to knowledge, and they are elected after peer review following nominations by current Fellows. Elections have been held annually since 2011; the first election admitted 119 Fellows. Fellows may use the initials FLSW after their name.
Leadership and status: Sir John Cadogan was elected as the inaugural President and Chair of Council in February 2010. The society is a registered charity (no. 1168622) with HM The King as its Patron. The University of Wales provided early support and facilities; since 2015/17 all Welsh universities have contributed financially to core costs, helping the Society remain independently funded.
Awards and activities: The Dillwyn Medals recognise early‑career research excellence. The society conducts research and publications, policy advice, and lectures and events. Website: learnedsociety.wales.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 23:31 (CET).