The Romanian Academy, a vanguard of knowledge in society

The Romanian Academy: 160 years as the nation’s premier forum for cultural and scientific achievement, guiding society through knowledge

Roxana Vasile, 29.04.2026, 14:00

Founded on April 1, 1866 (exactly 160 years ago) under the name of the Romanian Literary Society, the Romanian Academy stands as the country’s highest cultural and scientific authority. It initiates and organizes prestigious events designed to foster the progress of Romanian society and bolster its international standing.

With a profound humanistic focus, the Academy supports both fundamental research, through specialized institutes and centers in history, philology, social sciences and technical fields, as well as applied research. Over the decades, it has brought together the nation’s intellectual elite, counting over 1,700 historical members and overseeing 70 research institutes in Bucharest, Cluj, Iași and Timișoara. Notable academicians who have significantly shaped Romanian science, culture and literature include historian and statesman Nicolae Iorga, cell biologist and Nobel laureate in Medicine George Emil Palade, mathematician-poet and icon of literary modernism Ion Barbu, military physician and cybernetics pioneer Ștefan Odobleja, Ana Aslan, the geriatrician recognized worldwide for her groundbreaking work on aging, Petru Poni, the chemist and physicist who pioneered the field in Romania and Dimitrie Gusti, the sociologist and philosopher who founded the Bucharest School of Sociology.

The Romanian Academy recently elected a new president. Succeeding historian Ioan-Aurel Pop, Marius Andruh, a distinguished chemist, has pledged continuity, balance and renewed support for fundamental research, particularly within the humanities and economic sectors. At the same time, he told Radio Romania he envisions an Academy that is more accessible and integrated into public life:

“We have projects to carry forward and new ones to cultivate, as any president of the Romanian Academy must build upon the foundations laid by their predecessors. Consequently, there are specific initiatives to expand. For instance, establishing a cultural hub centered around the ‘Dalles’ Foundation. Located in the heart of Bucharest, this would serve as a landmark for art, music, theater and exhibitions. We have already taken the first step through a series of conferences hosted there by members of the Academy. It is also a priority for us to usher our institutes into a new era by encouraging frontier research. Beyond our existing achievements, we must strive to push the boundaries of knowledge into emerging fields that serve society and improve quality of life. The Romanian Academy is the natural home for fundamental research, provided that such work expands our understanding, resonates with the global community, and provides the groundwork for practical applications that benefit us all. All these efforts must be championed and expanded to ensure the Romanian Academy remains a robust center of knowledge”.

Last year alone the Romanian Academy hosted over 900 events, conferences, symposiums, rounds of talks and debates, interviews with various personalities…a series of interesting events on topical issues aimed at connecting the Romanians with the latest developments in their society and around the world.

According to the institution’s new president, Marius Andruh, the academy’s voice has not been heard very well by the country’s government 

Marius Andruh: ʺA series of moves have been made in the past years, a series of new strategies have been drawn for Romania’s development, and all these have been sent to the government, but to no avail. Another volume has been launched this year in which we explain the priorities the Romanian Academy sees in the development of Romania. These volumes have been sent to the government and it’s their decision to take into consideration what we propose. I strongly believe in debates within the Academy that are also attended by specialized government representatives, debates specially tailored according to the rulers’ field of competence. I believe in the effectiveness of such meetings and I intend to stage them.”   

  In the opinion of chemist Marius Andruh, the Romanian research should benefit from more consistent funds. When they offer better working conditions, the Romanian Academy Institutes have the big advantage of being able to bring together many young people, including those who decided at a certain moment to leave in order to conduct better research projects abroad.

Marius Adruh: ʺThe situation we must solve is that of underfunded research. And this must be said out loud and clear as only 0.48% of the GDP has been allotted for research and the number of researches according to the population in our country is significantly lower than in other countries. Underfunding can be a shortcoming in the process of developing science and in the attempt of bringing back the young people who may want to carry out scientific activity in Romania. So, this is the biggest shortcoming or the drawback, which our rulers must be considering.”   

So, in spite of all the issues and difficulties, the Romanian Academy is striving to remain as it was for the past 160 years, an active participant in the life of society and a central pillar for all intellectuals carrying on its mission of guiding the society through knowledge.