The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia was established in 1971 to recognise and champion excellence in the social sciences and to provide evidence-based advice on a range of social policy issues. The Academy comprises of an elected Fellowship of over 700 distinguished Australian social science researchers and professionals who work together to: Provide advice to governments on issues of national importance; Promote understanding and awareness of the social sciences; and Coordinate international cooperation and collaboration in the social sciences. The Academy is an independent, non-government organisation committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the social sciences; particularly the involvement and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is the one of the five learned academies in Australia. The four academies co-operate to provide interdisciplinary advice on important matters of public policy through the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA, formerly the National Academies Forum, formed in 1995).