The Young Academy of Sweden is an interdisciplinary academy for a selection of the most prominent younger researchers in Sweden.
Janina Seubert is an associate professor of psychology at Karolinska Institutet. Photo: Erik Thor/YAS
– Being a part of YAS is incomparable to any other context one is a part of as an independent young researcher. Here, you are encouraged to think big, the very foundations of a free and creative research culture. For example, if you are passionate about discussing research with young people, or perhaps working with the political conditions, or networking interdisciplinary with researchers from other countries - regardless of your focus, you can create something truly amazing in YAS! YAS opens doors.
The Academy is an independent platform that gives younger researchers a strong voice in the research policy debate and works to communicate research to children and young people. The young academy was established in 2011 at the initiative of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and has 35–40 members elected for five years.
”YAS Day”. Photo: Lars Pehrson/YAS
The academy participates in the research policy debate through, among other things, Op-Eds, seminars and consultation responses. Our aim is for Sweden to be an attractive country for research, and we want to strengthen the quality of Swedish research. As a voice for researchers in the early or middle stages of their careers, we contribute the experiences and perspectives that are unique to the next generation of research leaders.
Strengthen independent research, show the attractiveness of Sweden to international talents, and provide researchers with opportunities to interact with society. These are some of YAS' suggestions for the upcoming research proposition.
The basis of the academy activities are our academy meetings, two-day residential gatherings. The academy meetings are held four to five times a year and the meeting location rotates around the country and abroad to offer connections with important individuals and institutions in the local environment.
At the academy meetings, members meet across university and discipline boarders. Members come together to broaden their perspectives and address major current issues. It is at these meetings that decisions about the upcoming activities are made, new ideas for activities are generated and captured, members present their research, and interdisciplinary initiatives take place.
Working with children and young people is the heart of our outreach. We want to show that research is exciting, and challenge stereotypes about who is and who can become a researcher. Therefore, one of our focus areas is to increase interest and understanding for research and science among the general public, with particular focus on children and young people.
We want to show what it means to be a researcher, spread understanding of a scientific approach, and inspire conversations about the importance of research for societal development.
Through international collaborations, we enhance the impact of the academy, expand the members' network, and gain inspiration and ideas from abroad. We also participate in forums where international research policy issues can be discussed.
We collaborate especially with other young academies around the world. We are very active in the network between the Nordic-Baltic countries, the European countries, and we have bilateral collaborations with several young academies outside of Europe.
The Academy Board of the Young Academy of Sweden consists of five members from the academy: a chair, a vice chair, and three members. The chair, vice chair, and Academy board members are elected for a term of 1 year by the Academy during the last academy meeting in the spring. The Academy board prepares matters for the academy meetings and convenes for Academy board meetings 4–6 times per year. The academy's CEO is an adjunct member of the Academy board.
The Academy covers travel and hotel expenses for meetings and when members represent the Academy. There's no additional compensation for the time put in.
We're pretty flexible with language and switch to English when necessary. However, we strongly encourage members to learn Swedish to fully engage in all types of external activities and make the most of the network.
No, but we expect members to be based at a Swedish research institution during their membership period (5 years).
No. The Academy is open to researchers from all disciplines, but not every discipline may be represented at all times. In selecting new members, we aim for diversity in scientific background, various universities, and gender. The best way to achieve this diversity is by ensuring we receive top-notch applications from a wide range of researchers.
We usually get around 65–80 applications and bring in 6–8 new members annually. This means it's pretty competitive. If you don't make it on your first try, we encourage you to apply again. It's not uncommon for members to apply multiple times before getting in.
As a member, you will have access to a platform where a selection of Sweden’s foremost younger research leaders convene to discuss and address issues broadly pertaining to research and science.
The work of the Young Academy of Sweden is based on support from funders who want to strengthen young researchers and the impact of research. Support for the academy gives a stronger voice and greater opportunities for new academic leaders to emerge.
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