SCANDEM* was founded October 16, 1948, at the Research Institute of Experimental Physics in Stockholm. It has since then served as an active organization focusing on all aspects related to microscopy. This includes developments of the technology, specimen preparation techniques, applications in material and life sciences and new types of microscopy. Most of the members, more than 300 in 2012, come from universities, research institutes and industries in the Nordic countries. To promote the knowledge of microscopy in this environment the Society is coordinating a number of activities:
- An annual SCANDEM meeting is organized by a local committee. This 3-4 days event alternates between the Nordic countries. It covers all aspects related to microscopy and lectures are given by Nordic as well as invited non-Nordic scientists. All participants are encouraged to bring posters, which are discussed in special sessions, and a few poster prizes are normally awarded. SCANDEM also sponsors the participation of students at the meetings by giving travel grants. A highly valued event at the SCANDEM meetings is the commercial exhibition at which companies in the field have an opportunity to present their products.
- SCANDEM is supporting courses in different fields of microscopy.
- Grants for attending conferences, courses, workshops, etc are given yearly. In order to get a grant one has to be a SCANDEM member, but one can apply to become a member at the same time as the application is sent. There is no specific number of grants available each year. The educational grants have to be connected to microscopy and it is the board that is responsible for approval of both travel and educational grants.
- Information to members is presented on the SCANDEM website.
SCANDEM is a member of the International Federation of Societies for Microscopy (IFSM), and of the European Microscopy Society (EMS).
* The name SCANDEM was an abbreviation for the “Scandinavian Society for Electron Microscopy”. This name was chosen since only Denmark, Norway and Sweden (Scandinavia) were represented at the founding meeting, and for some years into the early 1950s. Today SCANDEM includes all the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), and has also members from other countries.
The by-line “Scandinavian Society for Electron Microscopy” was in 2002 changed to “Nordic Microscopy Society”.