Election process for Ordinary and International Fellows
Three key stages:
- Nomination: Existing Fellows nominate new Fellowship candidates with the support of two additional RSE Fellows who act as Seconders. Those nominating a candidate fill in the paperwork required, in discussion with the candidate themselves.
- Shortlisting: Nominations are reviewed by panellists. Separate panels meet to discuss the four main divisions of the Fellowship (i.e. disciplines and specialisms). The first shortlist is created, and following this, independent references are sought. The four discipline-specific shortlists are reviewed by the Fellowship Committee. A single list of recommended candidates is then taken to the RSE Council.
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Unsuccessful nominations: Brief, standardised feedback will be given to unsuccessful candidates and their proposers, to reflect the stage at which their nomination was unsuccessful.
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- Election: The final shortlist is agreed upon by RSE Council, and a ballot is issued to the full Fellowship for approval.
How are candidates identified?
Nominations can only be submitted by existing Fellows (only Ordinary Fellows), potential candidates are identified in a variety of ways:
- Ordinary Fellows identify a potential candidate themselves and choose to nominate them
- A potential candidate may approach a Fellow to discuss a potential nomination
- Our Search Groups (made up of Fellows) proactively identify potential candidates across each of the Divisions. They specifically seek candidates who may not enter the nomination process by the above two mechanisms.
In each case the candidate and the Fellow nominating them should discuss the nomination, expectations (gaining Fellowship is highly competitive) and the overall timeline. In becoming a Fellow there is a one-off admission fee, and thereafter an annual fee. Measures are in place to support those who are not in a position to pay the annual fee.
