The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences is a Swiss organization that supports and networks the sciences at a regional, national and international level. They are designated by the Federal Act to Promote Research and Innovation to promote research together with the Swiss National Science Foundation. Its current president is Yves Flückiger. The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences is an association of four distinct Swiss academies of different kinds:
Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences (SCNAT); Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMW); Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAGW); Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW).
Overview The two Centres for Excellence TA-SWISS and Fondation Science et Cité are also member of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. Forums and platforms allow the academy to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to various topics, and to strengthen the disciplinary national and international network. The academy also coordinates the sciences among the universities in Switzerland, while cooperating with institutions for the promotion of research, such as the Swiss National Science Foundation. At a regional level, too, scientific topics are brought to the attention of a large public. This task has been assumed by the cantonal and regional associations, which organise lecture series supported by the academy and produce publications.
Main activities Foresight of socially relevant topics Raising awareness of the ethical responsibility of the sciences Promoting a balanced dialogue between science and society.
Foresight The earlier, the better. This especially applies if topics are to be identified that are of major significance for the future of society and the environment. The academy's activities in this respect include operating scientific monitoring systems (glaciers, Permos, etc.) and providing platforms for socially relevant topics (forums). But also new technologies that are being developed, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, synthetic biology, etc., represent challenges for the sciences. Here, it is crucial to scientifically determine the consequences so as to be able to take advantage of the opportunities and minimise the risks. Promoted by the academy, exchange within and among the sciences ensures a broad basis for the early detection of socially relevant problems.
Ethical responsibility Knowing that representatives of science adhere to ethical rules bolsters society's trust in science. And this is what makes future-oriented research possible in the first place. Therefore, it is important that scientists take ethical matters of concern seriously, because research always has an ethical dimension as well. Awareness of this can be raised among both researchers and society by providing ethical guidelines to be applied in research work. Such guidelines are drawn up by the academy, in conjunction with researchers. The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences produced brochures of guidelines and recommendations such as "Ethical principles and guidelines on animal testing", "Authorship in scientific publications – analysis and recommendations", "Scientific policy advice – recommendations" and "Scientific integrity - principles and procedural rules".
See also Research magazine Horizons Science and technology in Switzerland Swiss National Science Foundation Swiss Meteorological Society Life Sciences Switzerland
Notes and references
External links Official website