Croatian Academy Elects More Women Than Men

Why this is here: This election brings the total number of female regular members of the Croatian Academy to 25, the highest number in the institution’s history.

The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts elected twelve new regular members, seven corresponding members, and thirteen associate members on Thursday, May 21st, in Zagreb, Croatia. For the first time in its history, the Academy chose more women—seven—than men to be regular members. President Velimir Neidhardt expressed satisfaction with the number of younger members selected, anticipating their aid in fully realizing the Academy’s renovated spaces.

Marko Trogrlić became the first priest elected as an academic member in 29 years, following Franjo Šanjek who served until 2019. The Academy also added scholars from outside Croatia, including physicist Jie Meng from China and seismologist Hrvoje Tkalčić from Australia, as corresponding members.

Currently, the Academy has 141 regular members—25 of whom are women—along with 107 corresponding and 81 associate members. The Academy can hold a maximum of 160 regular members, leaving room for future appointments and continued growth. A formal inauguration will take place June 18th at the Academy’s library.