Members
The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters invites Finnish academics and scientists who have distinguished themselves in their own fields to become members.
Groups and sections
The Academy is divided into two sections, those of science and the humanities, and these in turn can divided into groups for example by disciplines.
The quota for Finnish members of the Academy of Science and Letters under the age of 65 years is restricted to 333, with 194 in the Section of Science and 139 in the Section of the Humanities. When a member reaches the age of 65 his or her place in the quota becomes vacant, but that person still retains full membership of the Academy.
The Groups of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters
The groups are at the moment:
| SECTION OF SCIENCE | |
| Mathematics and computer science | |
| Physics and astronomy | |
| Geosciences | |
| Chemistry | |
| Biosciences | |
| Agriculture and forestry | |
| Medical sciences | |
| SECTION OF THE HUMANITIES | |
| Theology and religious studies | |
| Philosophy,Aesthetics and Art reasearch | |
| Psychology and Pedagogy | |
| History and archaeology | |
| Finno-Ugric Studies | |
| Linguistics | |
| Jurisprudence | |
| Social sciences | |
Selection of Members
A written proposal with justifications shall be submitted with respect to each proposed new ordinary or external member by at least two existing ordinary members or honorary members. The Selection Committee for each section shall consider the proposals for ordinary and external members and place its recommendations before a meeting of the section to be held at least two weeks before the Academy’s Spring Meeting.
Each section shall have a Selection Committee for the choosing of new members. This committee shall consist of eight members and shall be representative of the branches of science and learning covered by the section. The committee members shall be nominated by the Academy’s Autumn Meeting for a term of four years such that one fourth of its members shall change each year.
This election procedure is directed specifically at ensuring that all members have the necessary academic credentials and command widespread respect in their own field. Membership of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, in common with membership of any other academy of science, is looked on as a considerable achievement in a person’s academic career.
External Members
The Academy began inviting members from abroad in 1924. The same rules and requirements apply as in the case of Finnish members, and it goes without saying that these people represent the peak in their own field internationally.
Honorary Members
Especially distinguished scientists and academics or patrons of scientific research may be invited to honorary membership of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. The current honorary members are Academician Olli Lehto, former chancellors of the University of Helsinki Kari Raivio and Risto Ihamuotila and Professors Eeva Tapio, Jarmo Visakorpi, Elina Haavio-Mannila and Heikki Palva.