The Young Academy Groningen is a group of talented, enthusiastic and ambitious young researchers from diverse disciplines at the University of Groningen and UMCG. Our members share a passion for science and scholarship and its broader impacts on academia and society. Based on the principles of the Dutch National Young Academy (DJA), and operating as an independent organisation within the University, their missions are:
All members of the YAG work within four Working Groups based upon the abovementioned four themes which exemplify the broader applications of academic research. These Working Groups are: Policy, Outreach, Interdisciplinarity, and Diversity and Internationalisation.
Members of the YAG are required to spend 4 hours per week on activities for the YAG and the term of the membership is five years.
Being a member of the YAG comes with many benefits according to current members. You get to expand your network with excellent young scientists from all over the university. This gives you the opportunity to forge interdisciplinary ties and set up joint projects. Former YAG member, Cyril Moers, explains that this connection to the university can be really valuable for UMCG researchers: “Because you meet people from other faculties, you will get a better understanding how things at the university are organised.” Next to that, the extension of your network also gives you the opportunity to profit from peer-to-peer support from researchers who are in a similar career stage.
As a YAG member you are also encouraged to speak your voice and you will get the chance to develop your views on science policy and become involved in the University’s science policy. According to current YAG members Hanna van Loo and Judith Paridaen your voice will not only be heard, you will also get the change to put your ideas for research and research-related activities in practice with the YAG’s budget for projects. Paridean gives some examples: “We have organised a science fair at the Noorderzon Festival in Groningen and I have been part of a project with the Scholierenacademie called ‘Knowlands’ in which we prepare lesson packages for high schools, which was really fun.” Another great example of your voice being heard is the harassment report that the YAG brought out recently. Paridean: “The university has really backed that up and has taken action to make this better in the future.”
Furthermore, being in this interdisciplinary environment also gives you the opportunity to set up interdisciplinary research projects with YAG’s PhD positions. As a member of the YAG you are part of a community and you will have a platform to organize events with. As a member you can also join many events from the YAG, such as the Early Career Research Lunches or lectures. Finally, your membership at the YAG is also a good preparation for being in national and international science organisations and boards.
Every academic year up to seven new members will be selected to join the YAG. Members are academic researchers who have obtained their PhD within the last 10 years and are selected based on both their excellent academic achievements and their enthusiasm towards developing broader academic perspectives, such as science policy, outreach, diversity and internationalisation, and interdisciplinary research.
Find the requirements for application.
Visit the website: Young Academy Groningen
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