Publications
Since 1849 the Society has published annual volumes of refereed scholarly papers. Papers and Proceedings of The Royal Society of Tasmania publishes research that focuses on Tasmania or is particularly relevant to Tasmanians. Although the subject matter is usually within the natural sciences or history, papers in the arts, social sciences or other disciplines are encouraged. Papers should embody the results of a significant piece of original work or offer an original synthesis or review. Contributions are of international standard and copies of the journal are sent to learned societies, research institutions and universities all over the world. Exchange of these volumes is the source of The Royal Society of Tasmania Library.
Papers are peer reviewed by at least two referees and contributions, following the Instructions to authors, are submitted to the Honorary Editor.
The contents of the journal are abstracted by major abstracting services such as Scopus, Elsevier and Biological Abstracts.
Special publications are also issued from time to time; for example:
- “Charles Darwin in Hobart Town” - The Royal Society of Tasmania’s contribution to the 200th Anniversary celebrations of Darwin’s birth;
- Procellariiform Biology - a tribute to Irynej Skira 1950–2005 (published in 2008);
- The Sub-Antarctic - proceedings of the first International forum on the Sub-Antarctic held in Hobart in July 2006 (published October 2007);
- "Tasmanian Wilderness - World Heritage Values";
- a collection of papers given at a symposium with the title "Aspects of Tasmanian Botany";
- a volume of botanical papers honouring the work of Dr Winifred Curtis, AM and
- "Walk to the West", the edited diary of James Backhouse Walker recording experience and observations made during a walk to western Tasmania in 1887 by seven prominent Tasmanian, most of them members of the Society.