Research FAQs
Q: What is the difference between 'external' research and 'member-led' research?
'External' research is normally carrried out by a university or other external research agency. The Management Board decides which projects are supported and issues calls for submissions on specific topics. Contact Pauline Simpson, the Research Project Manager, on pauline.simpson@actuaries.org.uk for further information.
'Member-led' research is typically carried out by a working party of the profession. If you wish to suggest a topic, please contact member_support@actuaries.org.uk. The Profession is particularly keen to encourage member-led research and has allocated £50,000 to support it in the current financial year.
See How to get involved for more information, including how to get funding.
Q: How can I publish my paper in the Profession's journals?
Annals of Actuarial Science is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes research papers in all areas of actuarial science. It normally appears twice a year, in spring and autumn. The two parts comprise one volume. The Editor invites submissions in any area of actuarial science or practice, especially papers that are applied in nature. Please forward you paper to the Editor, Professor Angus Macdonald, at a.s.macdonald@ma.hw.ac.uk
British Actuarial Journal publishes papers which have been presented at a Sessional Meeting. If your working party is working on a paper, please consider whether it would be suitable for a Sessional Meeting. Please contact Maria Lyons at maria.lyons@actuaries.org.uk for further information.
Q: How can I subscribe to the Profession's journals?
Information on how to subscribe can be found on the website of the publisher, Cambridge University Press, via these links:
Annals of Actuarial Science (AAS)
British Actuarial Journal (BAJ)
AAS issues up to volume 4 and BAJ issues up to volume 15 can be purchased from the eShop.
Papers published in Journal of the Institute of Actuaries andTransactions of the Faculty of Actuaries from 1960 (TFA) and 1939 (JIA) onwards can be located by searching the library database catalogue. The full set of JIA and TFA volumes are available on CDROMs from the eShop.
Q: I am a student living outside the UK. How can the Profession's libraries help me with my studies?
Even if you live outside the UK you can still use the Profession's libraries. The site includes pages listing suggested additional reading for many exam subjects and learning portals for Subjects SA5 and SA6. These pages include links to many documents which you can download right away. We also have eBooks which you can access via the Athens Portal (contact libraries@actuaries.org.uk for a log in). Where we do not have e-versions of a book, we can post the hard copy to you.
- Suggested reading for CT Subjects
- Suggested reading for SA Subjects
- Learning Portal for SA5: Finance
- Learning Portal for SA6: Investment
- The online library catalogue includes links to over 4,000 documents for downloading
Q: I am starting a research project. How can the Profession help me?
A comprehensive literature review is the starting point for any successful research proposal. The Profession's librarians can do this for you, drawing on the resources of its own libraries and on external resources as appropriate. If you are not a member of the Actuarial Profession but are carrying out research supported by a grant from the Profession, you may still use the Profession's library and information resources.
The Profession's libraries can give you access to a range of online resources, including many journal titles and eBooks, through the Athens Portal. Contact libraries@actuaries.org.uk for a login.
The library staff can help track down hard-to-find material and publications for which you may only have an incomplete reference, including material published a few years ago and not available electronically.
The library staff can check your bibliography and ensure that all your sources are correctly cited before publication.
Q: I believe my grandfather may have been an actuary. Would you be able to tell me anything about him?
We will certainly be able to tell you when he enrolled as a student, when he qualified as an actuary and where he worked. We will also be able to tell you whether he held any special offices with the Profession, whether he was awarded any medals or prizes and give you details of any publications he wrote or contributed to. We may have an obituary for him and possibly a photograph.
Please contact David Raymont at david.raymont@actuaries.org.uk with details of your grandfather's name and approximate dates.