- Launch of UK Young Academy announced today by UK and Ireland National Academies
The first UK-wide national Young Academy – a network of early career researchers and professionals – is being launched today. The UK Young Academy will bring together researchers, innovators, clinicians, professionals, academics and entrepreneurs to tap into their collective potential and expertise to tackle important issues in society.
The initiative, as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration with the Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy, Learned Society of Wales, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Irish Academy, Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Royal Society, aspires to connect emerging leaders with different knowledge and expertise, and include their voices in local and global policy discussions.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering said: “The UK Young Academy is a distinct and valuable opportunity for the progressive leaders of the future to work together in an interdisciplinary forum on the issues that matter to them. Like the other partners, we are deeply committed to building a truly diverse membership and inclusive community. I hope that early career innovators, professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs across the UK and from all backgrounds will be inspired to apply for membership. I look forward to hearing their voices, learning from them, being inspired by their passion and creativity, and seeing the difference that they will make to our society and our future.”
Dr Olga Kozlova, Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement at the University of Strathclyde and member of the UK Young Academy appointments committee said, “As a former member of the Young Academy of Scotland, I can speak from experience about the value of bringing people early on in their careers together to collaborate and learn from one another, in transforming the ways they look at the world.
“Successful innovators, entrepreneurs and inventors of the future need the space and support to explore challenges from all angles, including the ones they hadn’t even known existed. This is the goal of the UK Young Academy; to enable cohesion between different sectors to solve societal challenges by harnessing talent across the country.”
Professor Duncan Cameron, Professor of Plant and Soil Biology at the University of Sheffield and member of the UK Young Academy appointments committee said, “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a disability advocate, I know that finding solutions to global challenges requires contributions from different people with different life experiences. It is therefore central to the creation of the new UK Young Academy that members commit to establishing an inclusive and equal environment for all.
“We are committed to attracting a diverse membership and will be taking steps throughout the assessment process to ensure that all applicants have an equal chance to succeed. In addition, we will champion members of the UK Young Academy to be role models for other early career professionals aspiring to make positive change.”
Applications for membership to the UK Young Academy are now open; details of selection criteria and how to apply can be found on the UK Young Academy website. Applications will close on 8 September 2022.
ENDS
For more information about the launch of the UK Young Academy and to request interviews with spokespeople, please contact the Royal Society press office:
Lucy Lisanti
Press Officer
[email protected] / [email protected]
+44 20 7451 2548 / +44 7931 423 323 (out of hours)
Notes to editors
1. About the Young Academy
The UK Young Academy connects and develops talented individuals in the early years of their career from a wide range of sectors so they can collaborate to make a difference in the world.
It is part of a growing international initiative to give young, early-career innovators, professionals, academics and entrepreneurs a voice for the advancement of issues that are important to them. The UK Young Academy gives its members the chance to have their perspectives, knowledge and insights represented as part of the wider landscape of academic and professional bodies in the UK.
The UK Young Academy was initially established following an agreement by the seven UK Academies – the Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy, Learned Society of Wales, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Irish Academy, Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Royal Society. Working closely with the Global Young Academy and the Young Academy of Scotland, it was set up under the auspices of the Royal Society in 2022.
The strategy and programme of work to be undertaken will be determined by the members of the UK Young Academy but it is hoped that there will be collaborations with other Young Academies across the world or alongside the established UK Academies. https://ukyoungacademy.org/
The UK Young Academy will be underpinned by a shared set of values including:
- Excellence – members will be outstanding in their own field.
- Transparency – there will be a clear leadership structure that is accountable and elected through transparent procedures.
- Integrity – members will maintain high standards of ethics in order to make a credible contribution to global issues.
- Equality, diversity and inclusion – a commitment towards attracting a diverse membership will be made, and members will commit to maintaining an inclusive and equal environment for all.
Initial funding to establish the UK Young Academy has been provided by the UK Government’s Department of Business, Education and Industrial Strategy as part of their R&D People and Culture Strategy.
2. Quotes from spokespeople of other UK National Academies
Professor Dame Anne Johnson PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said, “The road to a healthier future will be built by researchers from diverse backgrounds connecting across disciplines and career stages to share ideas and hear from people with different lived experiences. The UK Young Academy will create an exciting and unique forum for great minds to tackle the challenges that face us all now, and in the future. I am delighted that the Academy of Medical Sciences is a founding partner.
“Many of the biggest societal challenges we face have a biomedical sciences element to them – from climate change and inequality to preparing for the next pandemic. The Academy of Medical Sciences encourages emerging leaders in our field to bring their skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to the UK Young Academy and work to improve health in the UK and beyond. I look forward to seeing how the members of this new network will work together to influence beyond their current roles, bringing different perspectives together to innovate and promote change.”
Professor Julia Black PBA, President of the British Academy said: “We are delighted to be launching the UK Young Academy today alongside our academy colleagues. The UK Young Academy is a fantastic opportunity for participants to come together to tackle global challenges, particularly for those in the humanities and social sciences.
“The strength of this Young Academy will be in its interdisciplinarity, it will bring together people from across subjects from the SHAPE disciplines to the life sciences and engineering, and from diverse professions. In facing the challenges of tomorrow, there can be no greater attributes than the ability to collaborate and connect.”
Professor Hywel Thomas FLSW FREng FRS, President of the Learned Society of Wales said “The Learned Society of Wales is excited to be involved with the UK Young Academy.
“The launch last year of our own Early Career Research Network shows the Society’s commitment to the research talent emerging from Wales’ universities.
“We are proud of that work and know that a ‘Global Wales’ needs collaboration and strong networks across disciplines, institutions and nations.
“The UK Young Academy offers that opportunity and we pleased to support its development.”
Dr Mary Canning MRIA, President of the Royal Irish Academy said “The Royal Irish Academy is delighted to be part of this exciting and worthwhile initiative. Inspiring the next generation of talent, giving Young Academies a critical voice at a time when it is needed most, and raising awareness not just on topics central to early career researchers and innovators, but on significant and diverse global issues, from climate change and environmental challenges, sustainability, peace and conflict issues, to dealing with future pandemics is more than an essential endeavour.
We have seen how the global Young Academy movement is already having an impact; sharing and creating knowledge on scientific and policy questions, multi-disciplinarity, promoting and supporting the development of young entrepreneurs and encouraging individuals to take action. Undoubtedly, the benefits are far- reaching, for individuals at an early stage of their professional careers, and for communities and society as a whole.”
Professor Sir John Ball FRSE FRS, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh said “The RSE is pleased to come together with the UK National Academies in supporting early career researchers and professionals through this new and exciting UK-wide initiative. As research in the arts and sciences continues to find innovative solutions to societal issues, it is more important than ever to draw from as deep a pool of knowledge as possible.
Alongside the continued work of the RSE’s Young Academy of Scotland, we look forward to collaborating across the shared values and principles of the UK Young Academy; creating new and wider opportunities to support future research and strengthen the next generation’s response to some of the biggest challenges of the day.””
Sir Adrian Smith PRS, President of the Royal Society said “We continue to face significant challenges as a society, so we need to galvanise the expertise, talent and motivation of those at early stages of their careers to find the solutions to the challenges they will face now and in the future.
“Global problems like pandemics, climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality need solutions from many different sectors and individuals from diverse backgrounds to bring about meaningful change.
“There are limited formal opportunities in the UK for young professionals to collaborate across disciplines and we hope the UK Young Academy will give them a credible voice on the issues that matter.”
3. About the UK National Academies
The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent body in the UK representing the diversity of medical science. Our elected Fellows are the UK’s leading medical scientists from hospitals, academia, industry and the public service. Our mission is to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society. We are working to secure a future in which:
- UK and global health is improved by the best research.
- The UK leads the world in biomedical and health research, and is renowned for the quality of its research outputs, talent and collaborations.
- Independent, high quality medical science advice informs the decisions that affect society.
- More people have a say in the future of health and research.
Our work focusses on four key objectives, promoting excellence, developing talented researchers, influencing research and policy and engaging patients, the public and professionals.
www.acmedsci.ac.uk
The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. We invest in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, engage the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for the benefit of everyone.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk @BritishAcademy_
The Learned Society of Wales is the national academy for arts and sciences. Our Fellowship brings together experts from across all academic fields and beyond. We use this collective knowledge to promote research, inspire learning, and provide independent policy advice.
https://www.learnedsociety.wales/
The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann is Ireland’s leading body of experts in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. The Academy champions research and identifies and recognises Ireland’s world class researchers. It supports scholarship and promotes awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. Membership of the Academy is by election and is considered the highest Academic honour in Ireland.
www.ria.ie
About the Royal Society of Edinburgh
The RSE, using the expertise of its Fellows, creates a unique impact by:
- Inspiring and supporting talent through a wide-ranging programme of research grants and awards.
- Engaging the public across Scotland on key contemporary issues through its outreach programme RSE@ and a wide-ranging programme of public events.
- Providing impartial advice and expertise to inform policy and practice through in-depth examination of major issues and providing expert comment on topical matters.
- Promoting Scotland’s interests overseas through building relationships with sister academies across the world and facilitating research collaborations.
About the Royal Society
The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world's most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. The Society's fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation in 1660, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.
http://royalsociety.org; @royalsociety; facebook.com/theroyalsociety