The Royal Economic Society

Who we are

Our purpose is to promote the study of economic science. With over 3,000 members worldwide and organisational members including the Bank of England and Government Economic Service, we are one of the oldest economic associations in the world. Founded as the British Economic Association in 1890, we became the Royal Economic Society upon receiving our Royal Charter in 1902. We are a registered charity and membership is open to anyone who shares our aims and objectives. Our annual report and accounts provide a summary of our financial position and key activities.

The Society's two peer-reviewed journals - The Economic Journal and The Econometrics Journal – contain high quality papers from an international authorship. Our popular annual conference provides a forum for research, debate, and networking. We also provide resources for economists and support for education and the training of students, teachers and researchers. Increasingly we are focussed on improving the public understanding of economics through engagement with schools and the wider public. 

We are a founding member of Discover Economics, a campaign to broaden the appeal of economics to potential students, change their perceptions of economics and economists, and attract more students from under-represented groups (women, state school/further education college students and ethnic minorities).

Our 2019-2023 strategy guides our work through four key priorities:

• Enhancing the credibility and visibility of economics
• Supporting economists
• Improving diversity
• Working effectively