Sigma Xi Rating, Reviews and Requirements

What is the history of Sigma Xi?

Sigma Xi was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a group of engineering students and a junior faculty member, Frank Van Vleck. From the beginning, the founders emphasized that the new scientific honor society would be broad in its outlook, devoted to all of science and engineering. Cornell geology professor Henry Shaler Williams soon became the fledgling society's chief mentor, serving as the first elected president and a leader of the growing organization until the turn of the century.

 Today, Sigma Xi has nearly 60,000 members in over 500 chapters in the U.S., Canada and other countries, including Switzerland, Thailand, Lebanon, New Zealand and Australia. Sigma Xi chapters are found wherever scientific research is undertaken in universities, colleges, industrial research facilities and government laboratories. Recent presidents of Sigma Xi have included Nobel laureate Frederick Robbins, National Medal of Science winner Kumar Patel, presidential science advisor Neal Lane, and National Science Foundation Director Rita Colwell (see Past Presidents of Sigma Xi).

 What are the requirements to be in Sigma Xi?

•  Membership in Sigma Xi is by invitation (nomination).
• Sigma Xi membership requires nomination by two Sigma Xi members.
• Sigma Xi membership is not linked to the possession of any specific education degree.
• Sigma Xi membership is not contingent upon belonging to some other organization.
• Students and non-students follow the same review process for Sigma Xi membership.

Membership Categories and Qualifications

Full Membership.  An individual who has shown noteworthy achievement as an original investigator in a field of pure or applied science is eligible for election to Full Membership

• This noteworthy achievement must be evidenced by publication as the primary author (defined in the manner appropriate to the discipline) on at least two different articles published in a refereed journal, patents, or refereed monographs.
• Dissertations and theses alone are not considered sufficient for demonstration of this achievement and must be accompanied by at least two other publications.

Associate Membership.  An individual who has conducted independent investigation and written a report concerning their research is eligible for election to Associate Membership.

• This initial research achievement can be in a field of pure or applied science.
• Associate members may or may not qualify for promotion to Full Membership later, based on qualifications.

What are the key benefits of being a member of Sigma Xi? 

• Professional Development and Networking Tools
• Guided, Educational Group Travel
• Sigma Xi Publications
• Other Publications
• Research Funding
• Additional Discount Programs 

 Based on the information, here is our review:

 Our first observation is: that this society has lasted well beyond 100 years, meaning it has withstood the test of time. 

Our second observation was: that an individual who has conducted independent investigation and written a report concerning their research is eligible for election to Associate Membership.

 Our third observation was: that this society provides research funding, which is a notable benefit for scientific society of this stature.