RSA CEO Andy Haldane used his annual lecture in January to set out a vision to tackle the ‘Great Division’ in society that communities and countries are facing.
The Great Division has cleaved apart communities, he suggested, leading to a “rising tide” of disconnection and mistrust among citizens and communities. This can be seen globally through wars, both real and trade-related, nationally through recent polarising elections worldwide, and locally in the loss of pride in place.
Haldane attributed the division to a depletion in social capital – the set of relationships and trust within communities and societies – and called for a national programme of social cohesion. The Great Depression of the 1930s necessitated an economic policy revolution, he said, and the Great Division requires a similar level response, but this time in social policy.
“A revolution in how we build social capital gives us the best chance of local, national and international renewal. What we are talking about is a new model of capitalism – social capitalism,” he told a packed Great Room and online audience.
The depletion in social capital has shown up “social scourges” from low growth to stalled social mobility, from the epidemic of loneliness to crumbling (and sometimes rioting) communities. “That makes the malign neglect of social capital by policymakers all the harder to explain,” Haldane said.
We are at a “dangerous moment”, he suggested. “At the very point the world is more connected than ever, the social glue binding it together has rarely been weaker. Today’s connected economies are nested in increasingly disconnected societies. Neither can flourish in this setting. And recent research has shown just how large are the costs.”
In his lecture entitled ‘Counting the Costs of Bowling Alone’, Haldane referenced the work of economist Raj Chetty and political scientist Robert Putnam. Chetty’s recent US research, using data from Facebook/Meta, found that social networks help explain patterns of social mobility.
Back in 2000, it was Putnam’s book, Bowling Alone, that famously highlighted the decline in social capital over the previous 50 years. According to Putnam, this led to a rise in individualism, isolation and anti-social behaviour.
Haldane argued that a cross-cutting national programme of social cohesion should involve policies covering education, housing, citizen governance, work and business, and media, as well as the very machinery of government itself.
“This, I think, is what the economy needs, this is what society needs, and this is what the RSA will lead over the next few years.”
The RSA will be publishing the results of its own Revealing Social Capital research, mirroring Chetty’s work but with UK Facebook data, later this year.
Tributes have been paid to Jan Floyd-Douglass, a much-loved, longstanding and committed Fellow of the RSA who died in January this year.
Jan was a former senior executive in the banking industry, Co-Founder of The 9 Situations (T9S) corporate growth, governance and transformation consultancy, and a passionate advocate for women’s rights and equality.
She also made significant contributions to the RSA’s Fellowship over many years, including as a member of the Fellowship Council from 2018 to 2022. From 2023, Jan was chair of the RSA’s Fellow-led Economy and Business Network.
“Jan had a very rare gift – she was both a force of nature and a force for good. She brought energy, optimism, passion and compassion to the RSA, and we will all miss her hugely,” said RSA CEO Andy Haldane.
Ian Stobie, Jan’s husband, described her as a “protector”. He told the Journal: “Jan had a huge heart, warmth and wisdom, but always clarity on values and principles, and fearless in protecting all.”
He said, “fairness was everything to Jan”, especially concerning the treatment of women. She had been a Commissioner of the Women’s National Commission, a member of the UK board of the International Women’s Forum, Vice President of UN Women UK and past-Chair of Rosa, the UK Fund for Women and Girls.
Jan had a difficult childhood with interrupted schooling, which limited her academic progress. Despite this, she rose to senior roles in the world of finance, including as Head of Zurich Corporate Pensions, Global Sales Director at Barclays Private Bank and Resident Vice President for Consumer Lending at Citibank.
“She had a gift for simplifying chaos in business. Making it simple and clear for others to grasp. She was empathetic, in a smart way, always focusing on getting the job done with the right results and impact,” Ian said.
A memorial service for Fellows and staff to celebrate the life and impact of Jan will take place later in the year.
The Fellowship Promotion Guide is a powerful new resource designed to help current Fellows and staff share the value of the Fellowship with others. This is a go-to guide for inspiration, practical tips and the information needed to advocate for the RSA, feel empowered to spread the word and attract new Fellows who share our mission.
Fellows are the best ambassadors for the RSA community, and word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools for growing the Fellowship. This guide includes:
By promoting Fellowship to a wider audience, we can strengthen our ability to drive social progress. Whether you’re hosting an event, mentoring a colleague or sharing ideas online, the guide helps you articulate what makes the Fellowship special.
Harriette Hickey is the RSA’s Head of Development and Services (Acting).
For more than 270 years, the RSA has been a community from all walks of life. Diverse in interests, perspectives and lived experiences, we are united by a belief that solving the biggest challenges of our time requires connection and collaboration.
Feedback has been crucial to how we have developed the Fellowship experience over the past few years. I want to focus on three themes that have emerged and how we are addressing them:
We did: We have developed Circle, our global, online community enabling Fellows to chat, connect and collaborate seamlessly. Circle is our online home with more than 5,000 members worldwide. Available on desktop and via mobile app, it is breaking down geographical barriers and strengthening our global community. It enables Fellows to:
We did: In 2024, we partnered with 11 UK organisations to provide access to co-working hubs. We hope to more than double the number of locations this year, and will start by prioritising the areas with the largest concentration of Fellows.
We did: We introduced tailored monthly updates in October 2024. These highlight events and opportunities aligned with Fellows’ interests and activities. By summer 2025, we’ll offer tailored email preferences based on interests and activities nearest to you.
My ask of you: Please continue to complete our quarterly Pulse Survey and Annual Survey, email us at fellowship@rsa.org.uk or join an RSA Connect event near you. We review all feedback, and it informs how we enhance your experience and help Fellows to connect, learn and contribute.
Line Kristensen is the RSA’s Director of Fellowship.
The 2025 Fellows Festival is set to be the biggest yet.
Join us to celebrate new voices, fresh ideas and optimism for the future, as the theme of connection takes centre stage this year.
Events will take place in Bath, Birmingham, Brighton, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Osaka and Toronto. The London event will take place at RSA House on Saturday 17 May, with the other events scheduled from 15 May to 17 May.
The Fellows Festival is the highlight of the RSA’s global programme, and celebrates the most imaginative and optimistic new thinking. Speakers include Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, and Baroness Claire Fox, founder of the Academy of Ideas (both London); and Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Brighton), artist John Costi (London) and ITV’s Julie Etchingham.
At the London event, there will also be a focus on the RSA’s Playful Green Planet intervention, with presentations from community stewards in the two pilot areas of Hull and Dundee.
Fellows Festival tickets are on sale now.
Loyd Grossman, Chair of the RSA’s Board of Trustees, was one of several Fellows to receive awards in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours list.
Grossman, who received a knighthood for his services to heritage, became RSA Chair in October 2024, having previously been chair of the Royal Parks, Gresham College, the Heritage Alliance and the Churches Conservation Trust. He is also an author, broadcaster, musician and entrepreneur.
“It’s terrific to be honoured for something that I have enjoyed so much. Helping to protect and promote our country’s wonderful heritage, and working with so many talented colleagues to do so, has been both a pleasure and an inspiring experience for which I am profoundly grateful,” he said.
Other Fellows recognised in the New Year Honours include:
Throughout the RSA’s history, the generosity of Fellows has been critical to our success. Donations have allowed us to spearhead initiatives, expand impact and improve facilities. We are particularly grateful to those who have committed to making gifts through a legacy, as these donations allow us to plan for future needs and opportunities.
To acknowledge Fellows who have pledged a legacy, we will be launching a recognition society. The Henry Cole Society will be open to Fellows (and non-Fellows) who have confirmed plans to make a gift to the RSA in their will. Members will receive special communications and event invitations throughout their lifetime and will be publicly recognised (should they desire) in our Annual Report.
We would be extremely grateful if Fellows who have already made plans to support the RSA in their will can get in touch, so that we can invite them to become one of the Society’s founding members.
Could you be a future RSA Fellowship councillor? In coming months, the RSA will be inviting Fellows to consider standing for election to the Fellowship Council – with opportunities across the UK, Ireland, Oceania, the US and globally.
Councillors play a key role in the RSA as it seeks to further engage and widen the Fellowship worldwide. Our role is three-fold:
The term of a Fellowship councillor is currently two years; it is possible to stand for election for one additional term.
If you are interested in being actively involved in RSA work (or already are) and believe you could make a difference by contributing your skills and experience to these roles, please look out for the call for nominations in June and consider applying.
These important positions are directly elected by Fellows, providing a vital link between staff and our unique global network of changemakers. So, even if you do not wish to stand, please do use your vote in the elections this summer to choose your councillors.
Neil Beagrie is Chair of the RSA Fellowship Council.
For further information visit the Fellowship Council page on our website.
An exhibition of hyper-realistic animal paintings by contemporary artist, environmentalist and conservationist Sophie Green will take place at RSA House from 1 April to 31 May 2025.
Green’s work, described by National Geographic as a “bridge between photography and reality”, aims to raise awareness of animal welfare and environmental issues. Seven paintings will be on show in Vault 2 of the House as part of the ‘Commodities’ exhibition.
This provocative body of work unpacks themes of consumerism, exploitation and environmental despair. Each painting is said to serve as a “mirror to our shared complicity”.
According to Green: “A world in which we exhibit the most beautiful creatures on this planet like exhibits in a museum is sadly not too far removed from the world we currently live in.”
RSA House has won two awards in the prestigious London Venue & Catering Awards 2024, which recognise and reward outstanding achievement in London-based venues and catering companies.
The House, along with its in-house catering and hospitality partner Company of Cooks, achieved top prize in the ‘Best Venue for Customer Service’ category and took silver in the ‘Best Event Venue (up to 300 Attendees)’ category.
The judges highlighted client happiness and our flexibility in their feedback, adding: “Their attention to customer requirements clearly results in positive outcomes and repeat business. The overall teamwork to ensure a great end result is very apparent.”
FELLOWSHIP CONNECT
Instagram @thersaorg
X @theRSAorg
Tiktok @thersaorg
Fellows’ LinkedIn group
linkedin.com
groups/3391
Email the Fellowship Services
team at fellowship@rsa.org.uk
or call +44 (0)207 451 6939
CIRCLE OF FELLOWSHIP
Join Circle today and get your conversation started:
To activate your Circle account, log in through My RSA via the RSA website.
Your global community awaits
To get started, visit thersa.org/fellowship/community-platform
FREE CO-WORKING SPACES AVAILABLE
There are 12 co-working
locations available across the
UK where non-London-based
Fellows can work for free – and
we regularly add new venues
For the latest information, visit thersa.org/fellowship/in-your-area/coworking-arrangements