UK Young Academy joins the International Science Council

In 2022, the International Science Council (ISC) recognised the unique value of platforming and supporting early career scientists when it launched a membership campaign offering affiliated membership to all eligible organisations of young scientists.

In late 2025, the UK Young Academy was delighted to be welcomed as a member of the ISC as part of this initiative.

Encouraging a diversity of voices, from all career stages, in international conversations and collaborations has always been a priority for our Young Academy. Since our foundation, we have sought to create and enter spaces for open and honest dialogue between junior and senior individuals and organisations. Joining this global organisation represents a significant step in broadening our community’s global voice in science and policy.

Indeed, at the 2025 Science Advice Mechanism ‘Building Bridges’ Conference in Vienna, the UK Young Academy, Swiss Young Academy and the International Science Council co-hosted a panel on ‘Unlocking Science Advice — Building Skills and Practices for Young Scientists in Europe’.

This was an interactive session exploring innovative approaches and science-policy mechanisms to connect universities and municipalities, drawing on practical examples to address urban challenges like socio-economic development, inequality, depopulation or overpopulation, digital transformation and climate change. This was a huge success as it was the only panel providing a platform to raise questions and share insights and recommendations for better science for policy engagements.

Going forward, we’re excited to continue to engage with the ISC on several areas which align with our own priorities and projects, such as the ISC’s early-career forum, which provides a backdrop for global scientific collaboration and promotes diversity in scientific representation across all career stages.

We were recently featured in a blog post on the ISC’s website, introducing us as a new member.