Academia Sinica Elects Record Number of Female Academicians: 11 Women Selected in 35th Convocation

The list of new academicians from Academia Sinica was announced on the 9th, with a total of 19 scholars and experts elected. Additionally, three scholars were elected as honorary members.

Academia Sinica President Chen Chien-jen stated, "This year, 8 of the newly elected academicians are women, and all 3 honorary members are women, totaling 11 female honorees—the highest number in history."

The 35th cohort of new Academia Sinica members includes:

Mathematical and Physical Sciences Group: Li Wen-ching, Li Tung-hai, Ma Kuo-feng, Chen Yu-ju, Chao Lien-chu (5 members)

Engineering Sciences Group: Wu Hsien-yang, Sung Hsin-wen, Chang Yi, Kuo Ta-wei, Kuo Cheng-shan, Liao Kai-hui (6 members)

Life Sciences Group: Ting Yen-ping, Sung Ching-hua, Sun T’ai-p’ing, Chen Jui-hua (4 members)

Humanities and Social Sciences Group: Li Hsiao-ti, Li Chien-liang, Li Shih-hsueh, Huang Kuan-chung (4 members)

The three honorary members are Wang Ning-yi from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chang Yi-pai from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Zhou Lei from Duke University.

Academia Sinica currently has 283 active academicians. With the addition of 19 new members, the total number of academicians has increased to 302.

How are Academia Sinica academicians selected?

According to the "Academia Sinica Academician Election Regulations," candidates are nominated either by current academicians or by universities and research institutions. The nominations are then reviewed by an Election Preparatory Committee composed of academicians, who assess the candidates' qualifications and academic contributions.

After the preliminary review by the committee, the list of nominees is discussed in a pre-conference meeting of the Academician Meeting. Subsequently, the nominations undergo group reviews by the Academician Meeting before final voting determines the new academicians.

Academia Sinica academicians hold a lifelong honorary title. Their duties include electing new academicians and honorary members, electing councilors, advising on national academic research policies, and undertaking academic planning, surveys, evaluations, and research projects commissioned by the government and relevant agencies.