Membership
Benefits of membership
Membership of the Royal Society of New South Wales is open to any person interested in the promotion of studies in evidence-based debate on matters of significance to humanity.
The Society upholds the principles of liberal democracy and encourages a non-discriminatory discourse and the free exchange of ideas that respect religious, political, and cultural freedoms, seeing these as fundamental to Australian intellectual life.
Society membership brings inclusion in networks of learned researchers and professionals across a wide range of disciplines, provides opportunities to advance the evolution of science and culture in Australia, and is an avenue through which individuals can share in the work of the Society.
We particularly welcome applications from young people to join the Society and become engaged in its activities and work.
The Society offers
- High-quality face-to-face and online lectures, forums, debates, and the luncheon series in Sydney and the Branches, presented by eminent researchers and practitioners, to inform you of the latest developments in their fields, and which address major challenges confronting contemporary society.
- Specialist, prestigious lectures including the Annual Forum, conducted in partnership with Australia’s learned academies, and Ideas@theHouse series, delivered in partnership with the Governor of NSW, both of which are held at Government House Sydney.
- Social events that bring members together and provide new opportunities to meet in person, meet new people, make new connections, advance your professional or academic interests, and participate in the public square.
- An annual dinner with an eminent speaker and an opportunity to mingle with the winners of our prestigious awards.
- An extensive library of recordings of Society events — including the monthly lectures, Ideas@theHouse, and the annual Forum on our YouTube channel.
- A monthly Bulletin to keep you up to date with what’s going on in the Society.
- Free online and subscription access to the printed version of the Society’s internationally-recognised peer-reviewed Journal, providing refereed reviews and other learned papers, together with written versions of our monthly lectures, PhD abstracts, and biographical memoirs.
Membership categories
There are three categories of membership:
- Associate Membership — with three sub-categories
- Under 25 or full-time student —for high school students and full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students at tertiary education institutions, available free of charge
- Under 35 — available at a modest charge
- Relative — available at a modest charge for spouses or partners of Full Members or Fellows
- Full Membership — the standard grade of membership
- Fellowship — which recognises members who are leaders in their fields and professions
Subscription rates for these categories of membership are listed on the How to Join page. Reduced rates are available to Full Members and Fellows in retirement.
Joining the Society
If you wish to join the Society, you may do so online as explained on the Joining the Society page of the website. Applicants for Fellowship must be nominated and seconded by a Full Member or Fellow of the Society.
There are separate forms for use by applicants for:
- Full Membership—for residents in NSW/ACT, Interstate, and Overseas
- Fellowship—for residents in NSW/ACT, Interstate, and Overseas
- Associate Membership—for full-time students and those under 25, for those under 35, and for relatives/partners of Full Members or Fellows.
Membership services
The Membership Services page provides access to a range of member services through the Membes database. These include:
- Updating personal information and contact details.
- Purchasing Society merchandise—including books and a subscription to the printed edition of the Journal.
- Payment of subscriptions.
Subscribe to our mailing list
Join us to be part of a growing community that discusses, shares, and stays ahead of the latest developments in real time.