President of the National Academy of Sciences

President of the National Academy of Sciences. The President is the chief executive officer of the National Academy of Sciences, a private, nonprofit society of distinguished scholars established by an Act of Congress signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Elected by the Academy membership, the President chairs the Council of the National Academy of Sciences and provides scientific and strategic leadership for the institution’s mission to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. The position has been held by many preeminent American scientists, including Albert A. Michelson, Thomas Hunt Morgan, and David Baltimore.

History and establishment

The office was created concurrently with the Academy itself through the National Academy of Sciences Act during the American Civil War, with the first president, Alexander Dallas Bache, a great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, taking office in 1863. Early presidents like Joseph Henry of the Smithsonian Institution and Othniel Charles Marsh helped solidify the Academy’s role in federal science policy, advising agencies like the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Army. The presidency evolved through pivotal eras, including the leadership of Frank B. Jewett during World War II when the Academy managed critical research for the Office of Scientific Research and Development. The modern role was further defined under presidents like Philip Handler, who oversaw the expansion of the Academy’s work through the National Research Council and studies for entities like the National Institutes of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Election and term of office

The President is elected by a majority vote of the Academy membership, as stipulated in the Bylaws of the National Academy of Sciences. Nominations are made by a Council-appointed committee, and the term of office is six years, beginning on July 1 following the election; this structure was formally established in the early 20th century. No president may serve more than one full term, though some, like Detlev Bronk, initially completed an unexpired term before being elected to their own. The election process involves the entire active membership of the Academy, which includes renowned scientists from institutions like Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the California Institute of Technology.

Duties and responsibilities

The President presides over all meetings of the Academy and its governing Council of the National Academy of Sciences, setting the agenda for the institution’s advisory work and policy studies. A primary duty is to represent the Academy to the federal government, testifying before Congress and liaising with agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Department of Energy. The President also oversees the activities of the National Research Council, appoints members to key committees, and serves as an ex officio member on the boards of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine. Internationally, the President often engages with global bodies like the InterAcademy Partnership and The Royal Society.

List of presidents

Since 1863, there have been twenty-two presidents, each a leading figure in their scientific discipline. The initial presidents, including William Barton Rogers and Simon Newcomb, were often physical scientists or engineers. The 20th century saw presidents from diverse fields, such as biologist Thomas Hunt Morgan, astronomer George Ellery Hale, and physicist Robert Andrews Millikan. More recent presidents have included neurobiologist Torsten Wiesel, atmospheric chemist Ralph J. Cicerone, and the first woman to hold the office, oceanographer Marcia McNutt. Their tenures have frequently coincided with major national events, from the Space Race to addressing challenges like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relationship to other Academy leadership

The President works closely with other elected officers, including the Vice President, the Home Secretary, the Foreign Secretary, and the Treasurer, who together manage the Academy’s daily operations and international affairs. While the President chairs the Council, the Chair of the National Research Council reports to this body on the advisory study work conducted for the government. The President also collaborates with the presidents of the sister academies—the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine—under the umbrella of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to coordinate cross-cutting initiatives and reports for policymakers in Washington, D.C..

Category:National Academy of Sciences Category:Science administration in the United States