Governance

Board of Directors

Elected officials serving on the AAAS Board of Directors are responsible for the affairs of the association.

Staff Leadership

Members of the AAAS Leadership team.

Council

Members of the AAAS Council meet annually to establish the general policies for the association.

Sections & Steering Committees

Corresponding to fields of interest among members, AAAS sections include 24 fields, from physics and biology, to neuroscience and general interest in science.

Association Governing Documents

See the AAAS Charter and Bylaws. The Bylaws were adopted by the AAAS Board of Directors in March 2023.

Annual Election

The Annual Election allows Members to select AAAS Leaders, including the incoming AAAS President, members of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Nominations and Leadership Development Committee, and the Section Steering Committees.

Governance Modernization Project

With input from stakeholders across the organization, AAAS has undertaken a project to update its governance culture, processes, structures, and documents.

Multidisciplinary Working Groups

The Multidisciplinary Working Groups were created to address high-priority issues in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

Divisions

AAAS regional divisions, established between 1914 and 1985, supported scientific collaboration through regional meetings. The structure concluded at the end of 2025 as AAAS shifted toward community engagement efforts. AAAS continues to honor the divisions' contributions.

Affiliates

AAAS maintains affiliations with other membership organizations or professional societies that have similar aims or an interest in supporting AAAS objectives.

Fellows

Each year the AAAS Council elects Fellows of AAAS, in recognition of their distinguished accomplishments in science and technology.

Lauren Seligman

Senior Director, Individual Philanthropy

Related Programs:

Executive Office