IUCr

The International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) is an international non-governmental organization that coordinates and promotes the field of crystallography worldwide. Established in 1948, the IUCr supports research, education, and the development of standards in crystallography, with a view to advancing science and its applications.

The IUCr brings together national crystallography commissions and individual scientists through a governance structure that includes a General Assembly, an Executive Committee, and various commissions and committees. It organizes international meetings, most notably triennial IUCr Congresses, and supports conferences, commissions, and awards that recognize contributions to the discipline.

A core function of the IUCr is to publish scientific literature and reference works. Its publication program includes Acta Crystallographica in multiple sections, the Journal of Applied Crystallography, and the Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, among others. The organization also oversees the publication of the International Tables for Crystallography, a foundational reference work for symmetry, structure determination, and crystallographic methods.

In addition to publications, the IUCr develops and maintains data standards and resources essential to crystallography. The Crystallographic Information Framework (CIF) provides a standardized format for representing crystal structure data, facilitating data exchange and archiving. The IUCr also coordinates data initiatives and educational outreach to support researchers, students, and institutions around the world.

Overall, the IUCr serves as a central coordinating body for crystallography, linking researchers, data resources, publications, and training to advance the science globally.