As the second round of applications for membership to the UK Young Academy opens, executive group members are calling for emerging leaders from a wide range of sectors to apply.

The UK Young Academy is an interdisciplinary network of early career researchers and professionals established to help tackle societal issues and promote meaningful change. The academy provides a forum for emerging leaders from across sectors to exchange ideas, share expertise and participate in local and global policy discussions.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work alongside current members in shaping the UK Young Academy’s first few years, from developing strategic goals to coordinating activities. This includes establishing work programmes and initiatives with the aim of tackling challenges based on areas that matter to them.

Michael Berthaume, mechanical engineer and anthropologist at King’s College London, and UK Young Academy Executive Group member, said:

“It’s a really exciting time to be part of the UK Young Academy. We’re only in our first year so we’re still establishing our foundations. But these will be strongest if built by voices from a breadth of disciplines – from economists to ethicists, to professionals in the arts, legal and charity sectors. As an anthroengineer who is working to bring together anthropology and mechanical engineering, I strongly believe that by providing a holistic view of problems we can enable them to be solved in new ways.” 

Linda Oyama, microbiologist and lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast, and UK Young Academy Executive Group member, said:

“As part of the UK Young Academy, I welcome the opportunity of changing and impacting people’s lives through my life, work and science. But climate change, biodiversity loss and anti-microbial resistance, to name a few, are huge global issues that go beyond science – beyond all professional disciplines, for that matter.

“That’s why the academy is such a fantastic initiative. It’s not just for academics – it’s a melting pot for collaboration and debate with peers from all professional backgrounds who each bring with them a diversity of ideas, expertise and lived experience. This cross-sector dialogue is essential if we are to make real-world impact to benefit all of society.”

This round of applications to the UK Young Academy closes on Tuesday 3 October 2023 at 3pm (BST). Successful applicants will take up their posts from 1 April 2024, and membership runs for five years. The UK Young Academy has been established as 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. It joins the global initiative of Young Academies, with the UK Young Academy being the 50^th to join the Young Academy movement. The first cohort of 67 members was formed in January 2023 and brings together researchers, innovators, clinicians, professionals and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to their field.