The International Academy of Wood Science
The International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS) is a recognised 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.[1][2]
![](../I/Logo_IAWS.png.webp)
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,[3] and, also by Dr Ingo Burgert, a Swiss wood engineer who is presently the elected vice-president for the years 2023–2026.
History
The academy was first established on June 2, 1966, at Centre Technique du Bois, Paris.
The development and establishment of the International Academy of Wood Science involved many people, but the key-person who had the idea of creating a wood academy was Professor Franz Gustav Kollmann, of the Wood Research and Technology at the University of Munich, Germany.[4] In fact, he was also the first elected President of the academy in the years 1966–1972.
Objectives
The academy has the objective of promoting at the international level the concerted development of wood science and its standing by recognizing meritorious wood scientists by their election as Fellows thereby honouring distinguished achievements in the science of wood, and by promoting a high standard of research and publication. In addition, the academy holds annual plenary meetings, including business meetings and technical sessions, in the form of international scientific conferences.[5]
Fellows of the IAWS are wood scientists who are elected as actively engaged in wood research in the broadest sense, their election being evidence of high scientific standards.[6] New Fellows are nominated and evaluated by Fellows. The executive committee determines the number of nominees to be accepted as Fellows each year, based on those evaluations.
The tasks of the Fellows of The International Academy of Wood Science are highlighted as to:
- Promote high level wood research and technology
- Present wood research and science at international/national meetings of its own and of other organizations
- Focus attention on the importance of wood research and science to governments, parliaments, industries, associations, press etc.
- Promote the publication of research of IAWS members in the Quarterly Review
Executive committee
The executive committee of the IAWS consists of the officers of the academy (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and immediate past president), the bulletin editor, and the chair of the board.[7]
- President: Dr. Stavros Avramidis, Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Vice President: Dr. Ingo Burgert, Institute for Building Materials, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Secretary/Bulletin editor: Dr. Rupert Wimmer, Natural Materials Technology, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria
- Treasurer: Dr. Howard Rosen, Forest Products USDA Forest Service, Arlington, USA
- Past President: Dr. Yoon Soo Kim, Wood Science & Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- Chair of the Academy Board: Dr. Katarina Čufar, Department of Wood Science and Technology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Distiguished members
- Walter Liese (1926–2023), member[8]
- Pieter Baas (1944-), member
- Erich Adler (1905–1985), member and recipient of Anselme Payen award
- Alfred J. Stamm (1897-1985), member
Publications
- Wood Science and Technology Wood Sci Tech Journal (IF 2022; 2.898)
- IAWS Bulletin[9]
References
- "The International Academy of Wood Science". The International Academy of Wood Science. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- "International Academy of Wood Science UIA Yearbook Profile". 1966-06-02. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- Forestry, UBC (2023-06-26). "Welcoming Stavros Avramidis as the 19th President of the International Academy of Wood Science". UBC Faculty of Forestry. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- "Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E. h. Franz Gustav Kollmann : Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur". Mainz (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- https://boku.ac.at/fileadmin/BOKU-Topstories/20090505_IAWS_text.pdf International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS) -- BOKU University, Vienna, Austria
- "Constitution of IAWS". The International Academy of Wood Science. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- "Executive Committee". The International Academy of Wood Science. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- https://www.iaws-web.org/downloads/Bulletin-2023_1.pdf IAWS Bulletin, issue 01, pg. 14 (April 2023), International Academy of Wood Science (Obituary - Prof. Walter Liese)
- https://www.iaws-web.org/downloads/Bulletin-2023_1.pdf IAWS Bulletin (April 2023), International Academy of Wood Science