Agneta Bladh new chairman of the foundation

Agneta Bladh has extensive experience in management positions and board work. She has previously served as the chair of the Swedish Research Council (2016-January 2022) and was the government’s special investigator for increased internationalization of universities and colleges. Agneta is also a board member of the Institute for Futures Studies, chair of the Association of Swedish Higher Education, and chair of the Research & Progress Foundation. She was previously a state secretary at the Ministry of Education and director general of the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education. Agneta has held many board positions within the university sector in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, has participated in various evaluations in several European countries and has been a member of the Magna Charta Observatory Council.

There is a high level of engagement in the foundation board of YAS and it gives a lot in return, I feel honoured by the assignment, says Agneta Bladh on SUA day, I am convinced that YAS will continue to protect free research and education and advocate for the younger generation of researchers and teachers. YAS members are extremely committed and have achieved a lot over the past ten years. In addition, YAS has gained a strong voice in the research policy debate. Be proud and happy about what you have done!

The Foundation for the Young Academy of Sweden

The Foundation for the Young Academy of Sweden was established in 2013 when the Young Academy of Sweden, as one of the few young academies in the world, was spun off from its parent academy, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and became independent. The foundation is responsible for enabling the Young Academy of Sweden to conduct its independent activities. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has a dedicated seat on the foundation’s board, and since the establishment of the foundation, the corresponding CEO of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Permanent Secretary, has held that seat. Other members of the foundation board are:

• Hans Ellegren, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Permanent Secretary, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
• Saeid Esmaeilzadeh, Associate Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Entrepreneur, CEO and Founder Esmaeilzadeh Holding – EHAB
• Carl-Henrik Heldin, Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at Uppsala University and former Chairman of the Nobel Foundation
• Birgitta Svensson, Professor of Ethnology at Stockholm University, former Permanent Secretary Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
• Ulrika Årehed Kågström, Secretary General of the Swedish Cancer Society, Chairman of the Swedish Arts Council

The CEO of the Young Academy of Sweden, Sverker Lundin, also participates in the foundation board meetings as the presenter, along with the Academy’s chairperson Ronnie Berntsson and vice chairperson Sofia Lodén who are constantly co-opted.