Leopoldina: Ein Netzwerk für künftige Nobelpreisträger für Physiologie oder Medizin?

The Nobel Prize, awarded since 1901, is perceived as the most prestigious scientific prize around the globe. Thus, it is not surprising that scientific academies and universities use it strategically to boost their reputation. The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina of Halle, Germany, proudly highlights the 174 Nobel laureates among its members. This paper explores Nobel Prize nominations of and by members of the Leopoldina and explores connections between nominator and nominee. Using historical network theory as a tool to structure large data sets and generate research questions, the core of this essay deals with the relevance of social networks for reputation processes in the sciences.