The Society administers 17 awards and medals that are awarded annually in recognition of excellence in science and technology. It is bright individuals who are supported, not the disciplines in which they work. Scientific excellence is a key asset for an individual nation or state, in terms of both the esteem attached to ground-breaking research, and the potential to harness such research in innovative ways. Such investment may take the form of direct financial input. But it can also be an influx of 'know how', in other words individuals with expertise and knowledge who are drawn to work with like-minded individuals in a specific field, or to apply research results to industrial use.
New knowledge underpins all areas of our lives.
The needs of different countries vary enormously. The definition of excellence will therefore vary from country to country, depending on its level of development and its needs. Governments can play a crucial role in creating excellence by providing the funding and environment for scientific research, and must be convinced of the continued need to invest in science. These have the added benefit of enaabling women to take a break in their career and then return to their work, so that the damage to their career is minimized. The World Conference on Science will encourage countries to take stock of their strengths and weaknesses in science, and to use this to establish objectives for the future.