25/05/2025
Prof. Yigal Schwartz, acclaimed scholar and editor, elected to the Israel Academy of Sciences for his transformative contributions to Hebrew literature and Israeli cultural scholarship.
The General Assembly of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities has recently elected six new members, among them Professor Yigal Schwartz of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
President of the Academy, Professor David Harel, congratulated the newly elected members, stating:
“We are fortunate to welcome researchers of the highest caliber, whose groundbreaking work spans a wide range of disciplines in Israeli and global science. I am confident they will make significant contributions to the Academy’s endeavors and help strengthen Israel’s position within the international scientific community.”
Professor Yigal Schwartz is one of the most prominent and influential figures in Hebrew and Israeli literature. A literary scholar, author, and editor, he holds a PhD with highest honors from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has served as a visiting professor at prestigious institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard, among others.
Schwartz previously headed the Department of Hebrew Literature at the Hebrew University and later chaired the Department of Hebrew Literature at Ben-Gurion University, where he also founded the Academic Track in Publishing. Since 2001, he has directed the Heksherim Research Institute for Jewish and Israeli Literature and Culture. He is the author of 20 scholarly books, a novel, and a children's book, and has edited 320 volumes spanning prose, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. His articles and books have been published in 11 languages.
In 2023, a special issue of the academic journal Mikan titled Min HaPardes was dedicated to Professor Schwartz’s work. The volume includes scholarly articles honoring his outstanding contributions to Hebrew and Israeli literature. Widely recognized for shaping the contemporary literary landscape, Schwartz is regarded as a leading figure in literary scholarship and editing.
Founded in 1961, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities is the country’s foremost scientific institution. Its mission is to bring together Israel’s most distinguished scholars to promote scientific excellence, advise the government on matters of national scientific importance, and engage the public with science through a range of initiatives. The Academy also maintains robust ties with the international scientific community, including through the publication of scientific works.
