The New York Academy of Sciences is located directly north of the world trade center site in New York City. It was founded in 1817 and “works to advance scientific knowledge, mobilize science to address major global challenges, and increase the number of scientifically informed individuals in society”. Their website provides a comprehensive overview of what they do:
Scientific Meetings
Frontiers of Science is the Academy’s core program for convening professional scientific conferences and symposia, focusing on cutting-edge topics in the life sciences, physical sciences, and green science and sustainability. Bringing together international experts and partners from academia, industry, government, and beyond, Frontiers of Science provides a neutral forum for participants to exchange information on basic and applied research and on the broader role of science, medicine, and technology in society.
Publications
Since 1823, publishing has been an important element of the Academy’s mission to advance scientific knowledge. Signature publications include the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, one of the country’s oldest and most respected scientific periodicals, and Academy eBriefings, innovative online multimedia reports that document many of our Frontiers of Science events. We also cover Academy and member news three times annually in The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine, and offer a variety of multimedia products in our Media Center, including podcasts, videos, and an archive of Academy webinars, live, interactive webcasts of selected events.
Career Development
The Academy supports young scientists through its Science Alliance program, a consortium of universities, teaching hospitals, and independent research facilities committed to advancing the careers of students and postdocs in science, technology, engineering, and math. The Academy organizes events offering career advice and opportunities to network, learn from industry professionals, and interact with young investigators in other institutions and disciplines.
Science for the Public
Science & the City is the public gateway to the New York Academy of Sciences. It hosts events focusing on scientific subjects of general interest, publishes a comprehensive calendar of public science events in New York City, and produces a weekly podcast focusing on science-related activities in the metropolitan area.
Scientists Without BordersSM
Scientists Without Borders aims to mobilize and coordinate science-based activities that improve quality of life in the developing world. The Scientists Without Borders database provides a way for organizations, projects, and individuals with complementary needs and resources to find one another.
The Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science
The Academy has recently established The Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science, dedicated to the advancement of nutrition science research and knowledge, translation of this work into the field, nutrition-inspired product development, and nutrition policy. The Institute will collaborate with the World Health Organization to formulate a prioritized agenda for nutrition science research. It will also house a public-private partnership of academic institutions, non-profit organizations, government bodies, and corporations that will work together to galvanize action on this agenda and implement outcomes in the field.
Awards
The Academy organizes two annual awards to support and promote the achievement of young scientists in the New York area. The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists recognize the excellence of our most noteworthy young faculty and postdocs in nearby academic institutions. The Innovation and Industry Awards celebrate great contributions by young scientists in research and development.
Innovation & Economic Development
Science and technology are at the heart of economic development, and the New York Academy of Sciences is uniquely poised to assist partners in and outside of New York to become more competitive. The Academy draws on the expertise of its membership to provide advisory services for state and municipal governments internationally.
Sections
These meeting groups are organized by committees of NYAS members interested in particular areas of research. Each section presents lectures and symposia several times each year. Sections are currently active in Anthropology, Environmental Sciences, History & Philosophy of Science, Psychology, and Science Education.
The Committee on Human Rights of Scientists
Fighting on behalf of the human rights of scientists, physicians, mathematicians, engineers, and educators around the world has been the raison d’être of the Academy’s Committee on the Human Rights of Sciences since it was created in 1978.
The Harbor Project
The New York Academy of Sciences undertook a multi-year study to identify and quantify the flows of specific contaminants into the NY/NJ Harbor from its air and watershed, and to recommend pollution prevention strategies.