The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (; ) is a Finnish

learned society A learned society ( ; also scholarly, intellectual, or academic society) is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and sciences. Membership may be open to al ...

. It was founded in 1908 and is thus the second oldest academy in Finland. The oldest is the

Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters (, , ) is a Finnish learned society for natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. It is a bilingual (Swedish and Finnish) science academy and the oldest of the four science academies in Finland. ...

, which was founded in 1838.Matrikkeli – Suomalainen tiedeakatemia, Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, 18.08.2005
/ref>

Members

The academy has a total of 328 seats for Finnish members. When a member of the academy turns 65 years, his seat is free for selection of a new member, but he remains a full member until death. The seats are divided into two sections

Section of Science

Mathematics Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...

and

Computer Science Computer science is the study of computation, information, and automation. Computer science spans Theoretical computer science, theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, and information theory) to Applied science, ...

28 members *

Physics Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...

and

Astronomy Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and their overall evolution. Objects of interest includ ...

26 members *

Geosciences Earth science or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to the planet Earth. This is a branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological complex constitutions and synergistic linkages of Earth's four spheres ...

24 members *

Chemistry Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a physical science within the natural sciences that studies the chemical elements that make up matter and chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules a ...

21 members *

Biology Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms. It is a broad natural science that encompasses a wide range of fields and unifying principles that explain the structure, function, growth, History of life, origin, evolution, and ...

22 members *

Agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...

and

Forestry Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and Natural environment, environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and ...

22 members *

Medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

46 members 189 seats

Section of the Humanities

Theology Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...

and

Religion Religion is a range of social system, social-cultural systems, including designated religious behaviour, behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, religious text, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics in religion, ethics, or ...

11 members *

Philosophy Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...

and

Aesthetics Aesthetics (also spelled esthetics) is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of beauty and taste (sociology), taste, which in a broad sense incorporates the philosophy of art.Slater, B. H.Aesthetics ''Internet Encyclopedia of Ph ...

12 members *

Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both consciousness, conscious and Unconscious mind, unconscious phenomena, and mental processes such as thoughts, feel ...

and

Pedagogy Pedagogy (), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political, and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken ...

14 members *

History History is the systematic study of the past, focusing primarily on the Human history, human past. As an academic discipline, it analyses and interprets evidence to construct narratives about what happened and explain why it happened. Some t ...

and

Archaeology Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...

17 members *

Finno-Ugric Finno-Ugric () is a traditional linguistic grouping of all languages in the Uralic languages, Uralic language family except for the Samoyedic languages. Its once commonly accepted status as a subfamily of Uralic is based on criteria formulated in ...

Studies 17 members *

Linguistics Linguistics is the scientific study of language. The areas of linguistic analysis are syntax (rules governing the structure of sentences), semantics (meaning), Morphology (linguistics), morphology (structure of words), phonetics (speech sounds ...

21 members *

Jurisprudence Jurisprudence, also known as theory of law or philosophy of law, is the examination in a general perspective of what law is and what it ought to be. It investigates issues such as the definition of law; legal validity; legal norms and values ...

18 members *

Social sciences Social science (often rendered in the plural as the social sciences) is one of the branches of science, devoted to the study of society, societies and the Social relation, relationships among members within those societies. The term was former ...

29 members 139 seats

Foreign members

Since 1924, foreign members have also been invited to the academy. A foreign scientist who has proven to be a leading researcher can be elected as a foreign member. The selection of foreign members follows the same strict principles as the selection of domestic members. Foreign members represent the best of science around the world.

Prizes

Academy Award

The highest prize of the academy is the Academy Award, awarded to a distinguished member of the Academy in recognition of the scientific career. The prize has been awarded since 1945. As of 2023, the value of the prize is 30.000€. The recipients of the prize are: * 2023:

Lea Pulkkinen Lea or LEA may refer to: Places Australia * Lea River, Tasmania, Australia * Lake Lea, Tasmania, from which the Lea River flows * RAAF Base Learmonth, IATA airport code "LEA" England * Lea, Cheshire, a civil parish * Lea, Derbyshire, a se ...

(psychology) * 2022:

Sirpa Jalkanen Sirpa Jalkanen (born 28 February 1954) is a Finnish scientist, working in the field of biomedical and clinical medicine, at the University of Turku in Finland. Career Jalkanen was born in Jyväskylä, Finland. She is one of the world’s leading ...

(immunology) * 2021:

Ilkka Niiniluoto Ilkka Maunu Olavi Niiniluoto (born 12 March 1946) is a Finnish philosopher and mathematician, serving as a professor of philosophy at the University of Helsinki since 1981. He was appointed as rector of the University of Helsinki on 1 August 20 ...

(philosophy) * 2020:

Riitta Hari Riitta Kyllikki Hari (born 16 January 1948) is a Finnish neuroscientist, physician and professor at Aalto University. She has led the Brain Research Unit at the Low Temperature Laboratory since 1982. Hari was appointed as Academician of Science o ...

(neuroscience) * 2019:

Raimo Tuomela Raimo Heikki Tuomela (9 October 1940 – 22 November 2020) was a Finnish philosopher. Career Tuomela received his first degree of doctor of philosophy in 1968 from the University of Helsinki and the second one in 1969 from Stanford University. T ...

(philosophy) * 2018: Eva-Mari Aro (biology) * 2017: Marjatta Hietala (history) * 2016: Markus Pessa (physics) * 2015: Pertti Kansanen (education) * 2014: Markku Leskelä (chemistry) * 2013: Tapani Valkonen (sociology) * 2012: Pekka Hautojärvi (physics) * 2011:

Risto Näätänen Risto Kalervo Näätänen (14 June 1939 – 5 October 2023 ) was a Finnish psychology, psychological scientist, pioneer in the field of cognitive neuroscience, and known worldwide as one of the discoverers of the electrophysiological mismatch ne ...

(psychology) * 2010: Antti Vaheri (medicine) * 2009:

Heikki Ylikangas Heikki is a Finnish and Estonian male given name. It derives from a medieval vernacular form of the name Henrik. Notable people with the name include: * Heikki Aho (footballer) (born 1983), Finnish footballer * Heikki A. Alikoski (1912–1997) ...

(history) * 2008:

Keijo Kajantie Keijo Olavi Kajantie (born 1940) is a Finnish theoretical physicist and Professor and Adjoint Scientist at the Helsinki Institute of Physics. He was Professor of Physics at the University of Helsinki from 1973 to 2008. From 1985 to 1990 he was a ...

(physics) * 2007:

Matti Rissanen Matti Juhani Rissanen (23 June 1937 in Viipuri – 24 January 2018 in Vantaa) was a Finnish professor emeritus and researcher in English linguistics. Rissanen worked at the University of Helsinki as a docent of English philology 1969–1970, an ass ...

(English philology) * 2006:

Pentti Kauranen Pentti is a Finnish language, Finnish male given name and a surname, a form of Bengt (disambiguation), Bengt (Swedish for Benedict (given name), Benedict). Pentti was a very popular name in 1920–1950's. In 1924–1953 it was given to more than 100 ...

(chemistry) * 2005: Antti Suviranta (jurisprudence) * 2004: Jarmo Visakorpi (medicine) * 2003: Aira Kemiläinen (history) * 2002: Aarne Nyyssönen (forest mensuration and management planning) * 2001: Pertti Pesonen (social science) * 2000: Olli Martio (mathematics) * 1999: Lauri Honko (folkloristics) * 1998:

Lauri Saxén Lauri may refer to: * Lauri (given name), including a list of people with the name * Lauri (surname), including a list of people with the name * Lauri Ylönen, Finnish singer and lead vocalist of The Rasmus * Lauri, Järva County, village in Türi ...

(medicine) * 1997:

Päiviö Tommila Juhani Päiviö Tommila (4 August 1931 – 18 November 2022) was a Finnish historian and professor at Helsinki University. Career Tommila was born in Jyväskylä on 4 August 1931. He became a PhD in 1962 with his dissertation ''La Finlande dans l ...

(history) * 1996: Olli Lehto (mathematics) * 1995: Pertti Virtaranta (Finnish and Finno-Ugric languages) * 1994: Jorma K. Miettinen (chemistry) * 1993:

Erik Allardt ''Erik'' Anders Allardt (9 August 1925 – 25 August 2020) was a Finland, Finnish sociology, sociologist. Allardt served as professor of sociology at the University of Helsinki between 1955 and 1991, and as chancellor (education), chancellor of ...

(sociology) * 1992:

Olavi Granö Olavi Granö (27 May 1925 – 19 April 2013) was a Finnish geographer. In 1984–1994, he was the chancellor of University of Turku. In 1989, he was elected a member of the Academia Europaea. In 2001, he was awarded with Order of the Cross of T ...

(geography) * 1991:

Eino Jutikkala Eino Kaarlo Ilmari Jutikkala (24 October 1907 – 22 December 2006), until 1931 Rinne, was a Finnish historian, and professor of history at the University of Helsinki from 1950 to 1974. He had an exceptionally long and prolific career, and is cons ...

(history) * 1990:

Jaakko Jalas Arvo Jaakko Juhani Jalas (7 May 1920 – 1 December 1999) was a Finnish botanist. He worked in the University of Helsinki. Career He began his university studies in 1938, one year before the Russian–Finnish Winter War, where he fought on the f ...

(botany) * 1989:

Osmo Ikola Osmo is a Finnish male given name. It appears in Kalevala, where it means "a young man". The name has been in use since the 1880s. The name day for Osmo in Finland is 11 May. People with the name Osmo *Osmo Kontula (born 1951), Finnish sociolog ...

(Finnish language) * 1988: Pentti Laasonen (mathematics) * 1987:

Matti Kuusi Matti Akseli Kuusi (25 March 1914 – 16 January 1998) was a Finnish folklorist, paremiographer and paremiologist. He wrote several books and a number of articles on Finnish folklore. He was the first to have introduced the type system of prov ...

(folklore) * 1986: Osmo Järvi (medicine) * 1985:

Kauko Pirinen Kauko Antero Pirinen (10 January 1915, in Eno – 31 May 1999, in Helsinki), was a Finnish historian, professor in church history at Helsinki University from 1961, and professor in general church history 1963–80. Pirinen was one of the l ...

(church history) * 1984: Sulo Toivonen (biology) * 1983:

Erkki Itkonen Erkki is a Finnish and Estonian given name (derived from Erik). Notable people with the name include: A–K * Erkki Aadli (born 1974), Estonian orienteer * Erkki Aaltonen (1910–1990), Finnish composer * Erkki Ala-Könni (1911– 1996), Finni ...

(Finno-Ugric studies) * 1982: Peitsa Mikola (forest biology) * 1981:

Antti Sovijärvi Antti is a Finnish masculine given name derived from the Greek name ''Andreas''. In Estonia, the variant Anti is more common. It is uncommon as a surname. People with the name include: Given name * Antti Autti (born 1985), Finnish snowboarde ...

(phonetics) * 1980: Veikko Nurmikko (chemistry) * 1979:

Jaakko Suolahti Jaakko Suolahti (18 January 1918 – 28 January 1987) was a Finnish classical scholar and historian Suolahti was one of the leading classicists during his time and reached international recognition within the areas of political- and social cultu ...

(history) * 1978: Erkki Saxén (pathology) * 1977:

Kustaa Vilkuna Kustaa Gideon Vilkuna (26 October 1902 in Nivala – 6 April 1980 in Kirkkonummi) was a Finnish ethnologist, linguist, and historian. Vilkuna was a member of the Academic Karelia Society (AKS) until resigning in 1932 and again from 1942 to 1944 ...

(ethnography) * 1976: Thure Sahama (geochemistry) * 1975: Veikko Väänänen (romance philology) * 1974: Esko Suomalainen (genetics) * 1973:

Lauri Posti Lauri may refer to: * Lauri (given name), including a list of people with the name * Lauri (surname), including a list of people with the name * Lauri Ylönen, Finnish singer and lead vocalist of The Rasmus * Lauri, Järva County, village in Türi ...

(Baltic-Finnish languages) * 1972: Kustaa Inkeri (mathematics) * 1971:

Armas Salonen Armas Immanuel Salonen (17 January 1915 – 22 October 1981) was a Finnish Assyriologist. Salonen graduated from high school in 1933. He studied at the University of Helsinki under professor Knut Tallqvist. Having obtained his bachelor's degree ...

(Mesopotamian and Sumerian culture) * 1970: Sulo Taavetti Kilpi (chemistry) * 1969: Rafael Koskimies (literature) * 1968:

Viljo Kujala Viljo is an Estonian and Finnish masculine given name and may refer to: * Viljo Halme (1907–1981), Finnish footballer *Viljo Heino (1914–1998), Finnish track and field athlete and 1948 Olympic competitor *Viljo Kajava (1909–1998), Finnish ...

(botany) * 1967: Brynolf Honkasalo (jurisprudence) * 1966:

Veikko Aleksanteri Heiskanen Veikko Aleksanteri Heiskanen (V. A. Heiskanen; also spelled Weikko Aleksanteri (or W. A.) Heiskanen; 23 July 1895 – 23 October 1971) was a Finnish geodesist and geophysicist. He was known for his refinement of George Biddell Airy and John Hen ...

(geodesy) * 1965: Arvi Korhonen (history) * 1964: Yrjö Ilvessalo (forest mensuration planning) * 1963: Pekka Katara (Germanic philology) * 1962: Jaakko Keränen (research of magnetism) * 1961: Toivo Itkonen (Sami language and culture studies) * 1960: Paavo Suomalainen (zoology) * 1959: Lauri Kettunen (Baltic-Finnish languages) * 1958:

Mauno Johannes Kotilainen Mauno is a Finnish masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: *Mauno Castrén (1931–2021), Finnish diplomat * Mauno Forsman (1928–2006), Finnish politician (Social Democrat), Member of Parliament 1971–1983 * Mauno Hartman (1 ...

(botany) * 1957:

Martti Räsänen Arvo Martti Oktavianus Räsänen (June 25, 1893 – September 7, 1976) was a Finnish linguist and turkologist. He operated as a docent of turkology at University of Helsinki from 1926 forwards, and as an additional professor of Turkic philology f ...

(Turkic languages) * 1956:

Väinö Auer Väinö Auer (; January 7, 1895, Helsinki – March 20, 1981, Helsinki), the son of senator , was a Finnish geologist and geographer, chiefly remembered as an explorer of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia. He is also noted for his pioneering studies o ...

(geography) * 1955: Aarne Henrik Maliniemi (history) * 1954:

Vilho Väisälä Vilho Väisälä (; September 28, 1889 – August 12, 1969) was a Finnish meteorologist and physicist, and founder of Vaisala Oyj. After graduation in mathematics in 1912, Väisälä worked for the Finnish Meteorological Institute in ''ae ...

(meteorology) * 1953:

Antti Filemon Puukko Antti is a Finnish masculine given name derived from the Greek name ''Andreas''. In Estonia, the variant Anti is more common. It is uncommon as a surname. People with the name include: Given name * Antti Autti (born 1985), Finnish snowboarde ...

(theology) * 1953:

Yrjö Reenpää Yrjö Reenpää (Renqvist until 1935; 18 July 1894 – 18 December 1976, Helsinki, Finland) was a Finnish physiologist and philosopher and professor of physiology in University of Helsinki. He developed general sensory physiology on the bases of ...

(medicine) * 1952: Martti Olavi Rapola (Finnish language) * 1952: Uunio Saalas (entomology) * 1951:

Yrjö Väisälä Yrjö Väisälä (; 6 September 1891 – 21 July 1971) was a Finnish astronomer and physicist. His main contributions were in the field of optics. He was also active in geodetics, astronomy and optical metrology. He had an affectionate ni ...

(astronomy) * 1951: Arthur Långfors (romance philology) * 1950: Kaarle Jalmari Jaakkola (history) * 1950: Toivo Henrik Järvi (biology) * 1949: Viljo Tarkiainen (literature) * 1949: Pekka Juhana Myrberg (mathematics) * 1948:

Johannes Gabriel Granö Johannes Gabriel Granö (14 March 1882 – 23 February 1956) was a Finnish geographer, chiefly remembered as a professor of three universities and an explorer of Siberia and Mongolia. He is also noted for his pioneering studies on landscape geogr ...

(geography) * 1948:

Aarne Elias Äyräpää Aarne may be a masculine given name and a surname. It is a Finnish and Estonian form of the given name Arne, a form of "Arnold". Notable people with the name include: Surname *Antti Aarne (1867–1925), Finnish folklorist *Els Aarne (1917–1 ...

(archeology) * 1947:

Gustaf John Ramstedt Gustaf John Ramstedt (October 22, 1873 – November 25, 1950) was a Finnish diplomat, orientalist and linguist. He was also an early Finnish Esperantist, and chairman of the Esperanto-Association of Finland. Biography Ramstedt was born in Eken� ...

(Altaic languages) * 1947: (geodesy) * 1946: Uno Nils Oskar Harva (Finno-Ugric linguistics) * 1946:

Pentti Eelis Eskola Pentti Elias Eskola (8 January 1883 – 6 December 1964) was a Finnish geologist who specialised in the petrology of granites and developed the concept of metamorphic facies. He won the Wollaston Medal in 1958, the Vetlesen Prize in 1964, and ...

(geology) * 1945:

Gustaf Komppa Gustaf Komppa (28 July 1867 in Viipuri – 20 January 1949 in Helsinki) was a Finnish chemist best known for a world-first in commercializing total synthesis, that of camphor in 1903. Komppa was born in Viipuri in 1867. While in secondary scho ...

(chemistry) * 1945: Aarne Michael Tallgren (archeology)

Väisälä Prize

The Väisälä Prize () was established by the Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters in cooperation with the Väisälä Foundation. The prize is awarded to outstanding scientists in the active parts of their careers in the fields of mathematics and natural sciences.Väisälä Prize former recipients
/ref> The prize is awarded by the Board of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. The first prize was awarded in 2000 and has been awarded annually since then. The prize has been awarded to: * 2023: Vesa Julin and Katrianne Lehtipalo * 2022: Emilia Kilpua (physics) and Christian Webb (mathematics) * 2021: Mikko Möttönen (physics) and Tuomas Orponen (mathematics) * 2020: Goëry Genty (optics) and Tuomo Kuusi (mathematics) * 2019: Tero Heikkilä (theoretical physics), Jani Lukkarinen (mathematical physics), and

Otso Ovaskainen In Finnish mythology, Otso (also known as Karhu, Ohto, Kontio, Metsän kuningas, and Mesikämmen) is a bear, the sacred king of animals and leader of the forest. It was deeply feared and respected by old Finnish tribes. Otso appears in the Finnis ...

(mathematical ecology) * 2018: Camilla Hollanti (mathematics) and Sabrina Maniscalco (quantum physics) * 2017: Peter Liljeroth (physics),

Kaisa Matomäki Kaisa Sofia Matomäki (born April 30, 1985) is a Finnish mathematician specializing in number theory. Since April 2023, she is a full professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. Her research inc ...

(mathematics), and Minna Palmroth (space science) * 2016:

Risto Korhonen Risto Korhonen (born 27 November 1986) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for HPK of the Finnish Liiga. He was selected in the fifth round, 159th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (c ...

(mathematics) and Mika Sillanpää (physics) * 2015: Mikko Salo (mathematics) and Paul Greenlees (physics) * 2014: Tuomas Hytönen (mathematics) and Tuukka Petäjä (physics) * 2013: Marko Huhtanen (mathematics) and Sebastiaan van Dijken (physics) * 2012: Xiao Zhong (mathematics) and Mika Valden (physics) * 2011: Peter Hästö (mathematics) and Janne Ruokolainen (physics) * 2010:

Kaisa Miettinen Kaisa Miettinen is a Finnish mathematician and the former vice rector of the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. She is a professor of industrial optimization with the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. In ...

(mathematics) and Adam Foster (physics) * 2009: Eero Hyry (mathematics) and Edwin Kukk (experimental physics) * 2008: Eero Saksman (mathematics) and Kari J. Eskola (physics) * 2007: Jarkko Kari (mathematics) and Kari Rummukainen (physics) * 2006: Juha Kinnunen (mathematics) and Kalle-Antti Suominen (physics) * 2005: Matti Lassas (mathematics) and Martti Kauranen (physics) * 2004: Jari Taskinen (mathematics), Päivi Törmä (physics), and Timo Vesala (meteorology) * 2003: Tero Kilpeläinen (mathematics) and Keijo Hämäläinen (physics) * 2002:

Pekka Koskela Pekka Koskela (born 29 November 1982) is a retired Finnish speed skater, specialised on the sprint distances 500 m and 1000 m. He is the former world record holder on the 1000 m with the time 1:07.00. In December 2001 he set a junior world rec ...

(mathematics) and Erkki Thuneberg (physics) * 2001: Erkki Somersalo (mathematics), Jari Turunen (physics), and Markku Lehtinen (geophysics)

References

External links

Finnish Academy of Science and Letters
official website

, a presentation (at the website of the

University of St Andrews The University of St Andrews (, ; abbreviated as St And in post-nominals) is a public university in St Andrews, Scotland. It is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, oldest of the four ancient universities of Scotland and, f ...

). Science and technology in Finland Culture of Finland

Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...

1908 establishments in Finland Scientific organizations established in 1908 Learned societies of Finland {{Finland-org-stub