Committed to the Dialogue between Politics and Science

Frank Neese is a New Member of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts

The dialogue between science and society is of increasing importance, as amply demonstrated by the current pandemic situation. Never before have scientists been more in the spotlight of the daily news and their assessments have been in high demand by leaders in politics and business.

The North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts brings together the state's leading researchers and selected artists with actors from politics, economy and culture.  In projects and “classes”, many of which are interdisciplinary, the members deal with complex problems in the sciences and humanities as well as social, economic and ethical issues that affect our society. Their findings are communicated to the general public through written reports. Members of the academy are elected for life. Professor Frank Neese of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung has recently been admitted to this prestigious academy. An appointment to the Academy is one of the most important honors for scientific and artistic achievement in North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded more than 50 years ago, the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts currently counts 230 full and 140 corresponding members.

Frank Neese feels honored: "I am very happy to serve the state of NRW as a member of the Class of Natural Sciences and Medicine with my scientific expertise," he explains. The admission ceremony will take place on October 6, starting at 5:00 p.m., during the annual meeting of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts in Düsseldorf.