InterAcademy Partnership welcomes newly elected global leadership and expanded membership

The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), a global network of more than 150 merit-based science, medical and engineering academies, has confirmed the results of its 2025 leadership elections and the addition of four new full member academies, marking a new chapter for the world’s collaborative academy community.

The renewal of the six-member IAP Board, alongside updates to the Advisory Committee and the three Programme and Development Committees, strengthens the organisation’s commitment to global representation and inclusive scientific leadership.

The elections followed IAP’s Statutes and reflect a strong balance of continuity and fresh regional and disciplinary perspectives.

IAP Board for 2025–2028

• Stephanie Burton (South Africa) – re-elected for a second term
• Marileen Dogterom (Netherlands)
• Peggy Hamburg (USA) – re-elected for a second term
• Helena Bonciana Nader (Brazil)
• Gianfranco Pacchioni (Italy) – re-elected for a second term
• Carmencita Padilla (Philippines)

As outlined in IAP’s Statutes, the Board includes three members from high-income countries and three from low- and middle-income countries. It is supported by a 12-member Advisory Committee and three Programme and Development Committees, ensuring a robust, globally representative governance structure.

Advisory Committee – newly elected members

• Ghada Bassioni (Egypt)
• Ranieri Guerra (Italy)
• Dorothea Hilhorst (Netherlands)
• Guang Ning (China) – re-elected for a second term
• Frances Separovic (Australia) – re-elected for a second term

They serve alongside representatives of IAP’s four Regional Networks (AASSA, EASAC, IANAS, NASAC) and ex officio members from the hosting academies — the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the US National Academy of Sciences.

Together, the Advisory Committee will support the Board with strategic guidance and ensure the voices of different regions and institutions are reflected across IAP’s work.

Programme and Development Committees

Each Programme and Development Committee consists of 10 elected experts. Members of the IAP Board and Advisory Committee will serve as co-chairs to promote strong coordination across leadership levels.

Across the Policy Advice, Capacity Building, and Communication, Education & Outreach Committees, elected members represent 29 countries, underlining IAP’s truly global reach.

Membership expansion

Four academies have been admitted as full IAP members:

• Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
• Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts
• Mali Sciences Academy
• Academia Nacional de la Ingeniería y el Hábitat, Venezuela

IAP’s membership now stands at 153 academies across more than 100 countries.

Leadership remarks

Roberto Antonelli, President of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, stated:

The ballot results demonstrate a strong balance of nationality, gender and qualifications… Our academy’s longstanding partnership with IAP reflects our shared commitment to leveraging science in pursuit of evidence-based solutions to the world’s most complex challenges.

Marcia McNutt, President of the US National Academy of Sciences, congratulated the new leaders:

IAP continues to play an essential role in bringing together academies from around the world to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen the global scientific community.