Berliner Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft

The Berliner Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft e.V. (BWG) is a German learned society that serves as an interdisciplinary representation of scientists from all relevant scientific institutions in the greater Berlin area. It brings together university presidents and vice-presidents, members of Berlin's five universities, other research institutions, and federal and state agencies with a scientific mandate. Its core purpose is to foster the exchange of ideas and research results across disciplinary boundaries, counteracting the increasing specialization of the sciences. Founded on 18 December 1973 by scientists from West Berlin's universities and educational institutions—particularly professors from the Free University (FU)—the BWG emerged in response to the 1969 Berlin University Law, which replaced the traditional ordinaries' university with a group university following student movement demands. The society's founding chairman was the economic and social historian Wolfram Fischer, who led until 1981. Since 2007, the laser medicine specialist Hans-Peter Berlien has chaired the board. To fulfill its mission, the BWG organizes lectures, seminars, and conferences, conducts guided tours of scientific facilities, addresses interdisciplinary topics in working groups, initiates and supports research projects, publishes results in yearbooks and online, and takes public positions on higher education policy issues. It also promotes young scientists through an annual doctoral prize for outstanding research and the Erhard-Höpfner-Studienpreis for excellent final theses from universities and technical colleges, funded by the Erhard Höpfner Foundation. As of early 2009, the BWG had around 250 full members, including presidents and vice-presidents of all Berlin universities, members of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and other research institutions. Membership categories include full members (scientists with outstanding publications or comparable achievements), associate members (early-career researchers), corresponding members (around 80 in early 2009, mostly former Berlin scientists who moved away), supporting members (around 50, mostly public figures from politics and business), and honorary members. The society's office is located in the Department of Laser Medicine at the Ev. Elisabeth Klinik in Berlin-Mitte. In December 2023, the BWG celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The Berliner Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft (BWG) was founded on 18 December 1973 by scientists from universities and educational institutions in what was then West Berlin, especially professors from the Free University (FU). The founding was a direct response to the Berlin University Law of 1969, which, under pressure from the student movement, replaced the traditional ordinaries' university with a group university. This change prompted a group of senior academics to create an interdisciplinary society that would represent the interests and foster the exchange of ideas among scientists across institutions. The founding chairman was the economic and social historian Wolfram Fischer, who led the society until 1981. Under his leadership, the BWG established itself as a forum for cross-disciplinary dialogue. In 2007, the laser medicine specialist Hans-Peter Berlien took over as chairman of the board, a position he continues to hold. Over the decades, the BWG has organized numerous lectures, seminars, conferences, and guided tours of scientific facilities. It has initiated and supported research projects, published yearbooks, and taken public stances on higher education policy. The society also established annual awards to promote young scientists: the BWG Promotionspreis for outstanding doctoral research and the Erhard-Höpfner-Studienpreis for excellent final theses, funded by the Erhard Höpfner Foundation. By early 2009, the BWG had around 250 full members, including the presidents and vice-presidents of all Berlin universities, members of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and other research institutions. It also had around 80 corresponding members and 50 supporting members. The society's office is located in the Department of Laser Medicine at the Ev. Elisabeth Klinik in Berlin-Mitte. In December 2023, the BWG celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of interdisciplinary scientific engagement in Berlin.

• 2023

  BWG celebrates its 50th anniversary in December.

• 2007

  Hans-Peter Berlien becomes chairman of the board.

• 1981

  Wolfram Fischer ends his term as founding chairman.

• 1973

  Founded on 18 December by scientists from West Berlin universities, especially FU professors.

An interdisciplinary learned society uniting Berlin's scientific leadership to bridge disciplinary boundaries and counter specialization.

1. 1Startseite - BWG Berlinbwg-berlin.de
2. 2Berliner Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaftwikidata.org
3. 3Berliner Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaftde.wikipedia.org