The International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS) 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.
Since June 2026, the academy is represented by Ingo Burgert, a German-born Swiss wood scientist, who is presently the 20th elected president of the IAWS, while the present vice-president is Andreja Kutnar, from the University of Primorska, Slovenia.
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 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. 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. Basic priority of the Academy is to honor exceptional wood scientists as Fellows. This type of recognition simply acknowledge contributions to wood science and highlights the excellence in research and technology. Additionally, the Academy organizes several gatherings every year, which include scientific sessions and presentations.
Fellows of the International Academy of Wood Science (named as FIAWS) are wood experts who have been involved in wood-related research in various sub-areas of wood science and technology. Their election in the Academy is a mark of high scientific achievement. Current Fellows nominate some excellent candidates every year, and all of the current IAWS Fellows vote to select the new members.
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:
↑"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."
