History of the GYA

Aims and Objectives

This Working Group studies the history of the GYA. It is both a project in history and sociology of science and a project useful for the GYA.

From the perspective of the history and sociology of research institutions, the GYA is a particularly interesting case study. We will document the founding and development of the GYA, including challenges and opportunities it confronted so far, and compare this with the history and development of other academies. It would be an interesting test case for current historical and sociological models of scientific institutionalization and networking, as well as the multiple relations between scientific and policy bodies.

Academies have always written their own histories. A key reason for this is the usefulness of history towards identifying potential obstacles, understanding why some initiatives fail and others thrive, and comparing success and failure stories with other historical cases – all of which will help the GYA in the years ahead. Historical research can also help academies to gain visibility and think about their identity, mission and goals. This exercise will be a vehicle to raise and debate crucial questions for the GYA and its future development, which GYA members will be invited to explore as the project develops. Examples of such questions are: What are academies for, and how have the goals of the GYA evolved since its initial founding? What makes the GYA special within the current international research and policy landscape? What is the role of GYA members and leadership, and how is this evolving to tackle financial and policy requirements and accountabilities? And what impact has the GYA had within and beyond research?