North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science and Arts

The learned society of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science and Arts can be found in Düsseldorf, Germany, and has been around since 1970, although the initial concept for the academy was first thought of around 1950. Unlike many other similar institutions around the country, the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy is the first to bring together all forms of science, arts, and humanities, be it scholarly, scientific or artistic.

The Four Classes
The North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science and Arts is divided into four classes, with each one being run quite differently. These include the Class for Humanities, the Class for Science and Medicine, the Class for Engineering and Economics and the Class of the Arts, with each class being responsible for everything from lecture programs to academic publications to research projects to the admission of new members. Each class will have their own rules and regulations, and each one will also strive to best represent the discipline that they stand for.

Scientific Research Projects
There are around 20 ongoing long-term scientific research projects taking place at the academy, and these tend to be funded either by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, or by the community. However, unlike similar academies, the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science and Arts is not home to any independent workspaces, meaning that these research projects are carried out at various universities, as this enables the academy to make use of their infrastructural support.

Academic Publications
Each year, the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science and Arts releases around 30 publications in conjunction with various publishers, not only sharing its research and results, but also informing the public about the general work that the academy carries out. For those who live abroad, there are many public institutions that stock these publications, or you can also order them directly from the academy. For those visiting the academy, you will be able to borrow these publications from the Academic Library.

Upcoming Public Events
The academy regularly hosts a wide range of public events, from lectures and talks to art exhibitions. This September, there is an exciting event series that focuses on Science and Art: More than an Affair. This event series features an exhibition that will be running until the middle of November, as well as a number of different lectures that explore everything from whether or not architecture is art to art in free spaces. In October, there is also a special one-off lecture being held, titled The Ground in System Earth. This explores the role that soil plays in our lives, touching on its importance while explaining all of the different factors that are endangering it, from climate change to overpopulation, and will no doubt leave you with plenty to think about.

The North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science and Arts is one that really strives to bring together these subjects that are often considered to be opposing. From their highly-acclaimed academic publications to their eagerly-anticipated lectures and exhibitions, this is an institution that is truly focussed on pushing forward with research and education.