The International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS)[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] is an international academy and a non-profit assembly of wood scientists, recognizing all fields of wood science with their associated technological domains and securing a worldwide representation.[9][10]
Since June 2023, the academy is represented by Dr. Stavros Avramidis, a Greek-Canadian professor and wood scientist who serves as the 19th President of the IAWS,[11] and, also by Dr. Ingo Burgert, a German-Swiss wood scientist, who is presently the elected vice-president for the period 2023–2026.[12]
History
The academy was first established on June 2, 1966, at the Centre Technique du Bois in Paris.
The development and establishment of the International Academy of Wood Science involved many people, but the individual who decided to found a wood academy was Professor Franz Gustav Kollmann, who had studied in the Wood Research (German: Holzforschung) department at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and was then working in industry.[13] He was also the first elected President of the academy in the years 1966–1972.
The Academy aims to advance the field of wood science globally by fostering coordinated progress and enhancing its reputation. One of the primary ways it does this is by selecting and honoring exceptional wood scientists as Fellows. This recognition celebrates significant contributions to wood science and encourages excellence in research and scholarly publishing. Additionally, the Academy organizes yearly plenary gatherings, which include administrative sessions and scientific presentations, typically held as international conferences.[15]
Fellows of the International Academy of Wood Science (FIAWS) are experts actively involved in wood-related research across a wide spectrum. Their election is a mark of outstanding scientific achievement and integrity. Current Fellows nominate and assess candidates, and the executive committee decides how many new members are accepted each year based on these evaluations.
Fellows of the IAWS are expected to:
Support and advance cutting-edge wood science and technology.
Share and present their research at both IAWS-hosted and other international or national scientific forums.
Advocate for the relevance and impact of wood science to policymakers, industry leaders, media, and the public.
Encourage the publication of member research in the Quarterly Bulletins.
Executive committee
The executive committee of the IAWS consists of the following officers:[16]
↑"ETH Zurich". IAWS 60th Anniversary Conference. 2025-11-12. Retrieved 2025-12-26. "The Academy aims to promote the international development of wood science by recognizing outstanding wood scientists through their election as Fellows. This honours significant achievements in the field of wood science and encourages high standards of research and publication. The Academy currently has more than 400 fellows from around 50 countries. IAWS fellows are renowned wood scientists who have been elected as actively engaged in wood research in the broadest sense, their election being evidence of high scientific standards."
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