Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences

Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences
Name	Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences
Native name	Schweizerische Akademie der Naturwissenschaften (SCNAT)
Formation	1815
Headquarters	Bern
Region	Switzerland
Language	German, French, Italian, English
Parent organization	Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences
Website	https://scnat.ch

Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences. The Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences, known as SCNAT, is a central institution for the promotion of scientific excellence and dialogue within the natural sciences in Switzerland. Founded in the early 19th century, it operates as a key division of the broader Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing expert knowledge to inform public policy and societal discourse. Its activities span from supporting young researchers to coordinating national and international scientific networks, with a commitment to addressing global challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change.

History

The academy traces its origins to the Helvetic Society, with its formal establishment occurring in 1815 in Bern, inspired by the model of the French Academy of Sciences. Throughout the 19th century, it played a pivotal role in the foundational surveys of the Swiss Alps, collaborating with pioneers like Louis Agassiz and supporting the creation of the Swiss Geological Survey. It was instrumental in the early international coordination of scientific endeavors, including the International Polar Year and the Systema Naturae congresses. A major reorganization in the late 20th century led to its integration into the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, consolidating its position as a leading voice for disciplines from astronomy to zoology.

Organization and structure

SCNAT is organized into a series of expert scientific committees and platforms that reflect the breadth of modern natural sciences. Its structure includes specialized networks such as the Platform Biology, the Platform Chemistry, and the Platform Geosciences, each coordinating activities within their respective fields. Governance is provided by an elected Presidium and a strategic board, with operational support from a secretariat based in the House of Academies in Bern. The academy maintains formal partnerships with major research institutions including ETH Zurich, the University of Geneva, and the Paul Scherrer Institute, ensuring close ties to the national research landscape.

Activities and programs

Core activities focus on science promotion, policy advice, and fostering the next generation of scientists. It runs prestigious programs like the Swiss Youth in Science competition and awards research grants through bodies like the Swiss National Science Foundation. SCNAT coordinates Switzerland's participation in global programs such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the World Climate Research Programme. It also organizes major conferences, including the Swiss Geoscience Meeting, and facilitates public engagement through events like the Science et Cité dialogue forums, bridging the gap between researchers, politicians, and civil society.

Member institutions

Membership comprises Switzerland's leading natural science societies and research institutes, forming a comprehensive national network. Key member societies include the Swiss Chemical Society, the Swiss Physical Society, and the Swiss Society of Microbiology. Affiliated research organizations span from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research to the Swiss Ornithological Institute. This collective membership enables SCNAT to act as a unified representative for the natural sciences in dialogues with entities like the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and the European Science Foundation.

Publications and resources

SCNAT produces a range of authoritative publications to disseminate scientific knowledge. These include the journal CHIMIA, the bulletin Geographica Helvetica, and comprehensive assessment reports on topics like alpine ecology and sustainable energy. It maintains critical online resources such as the national Info Flora database and the Swiss Species List. The academy's publishing arm collaborates with international bodies like Springer Nature and Wiley-Blackwell to ensure global reach for Swiss research findings.

Notable people and awards

Throughout its history, SCNAT has been associated with eminent scientists, including Nobel laureates like Albert Einstein and Richard R. Ernst. It confers several prestigious awards, such as the Swiss Science Prize Marcel Benoist and the Robert H. Wentorf Jr. Prize. Notable past presidents include the geologist Auguste Piccard and the botanist Eduard August von Regel. The academy also honors early-career researchers through medals like the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences Awards for Transdisciplinary Research, recognizing outstanding contributions to interdisciplinary science.

Category:Scientific organizations based in Switzerland Category:Academies of sciences Category:Organizations established in 1815