Communications Working Group

The Communications Working Group was established to enhance the UK Young Academy’s communications, both internally and externally, facilitating engagement with the Young Academy’s work and supporting member-driven communications initiatives.

The Working Group provides advice to the wider membership and works to develop content to support the visibility of the Young Academy. It looks to lead and support a range of UKYA-focused initiatives, as well as contributing to strategic stakeholder engagement projects.

The Communications Working Group aims to ensure that communications efforts are aligned and reflective of the UKYA’s collective voice, supporting shared strategic objectives. It also seeks to identify opportunities for external engagement to help elevate the UKYA’s profile, including through collaboration with other Working Groups where appropriate.

UK Young Academy podcast

The UK Young Academy podcast was released in January 2026 to explore the stories, motivations, and experiences of the people who make up the UK Young Academy community. Moving beyond website biographies, the podcast offers a space to hear directly from members about the challenges, setbacks, and aspirations that shape their work and lives.

Season one is hosted by members Wenmiao Yu and Alistair McConnell. The podcast reflects many of the themes that run through the wider membership: collaboration across disciplines and sectors, amplifying early-career voices, and reframing failure as an opportunity for growth.

Season one features six episodes, released twice monthly, with conversations spanning academia, industry, and beyond.

Where to listen

You can listen to the UK Young Academy podcast on all major streaming platforms, including:

• Spotify
• YouTube
• Amazon Music
• Apple Podcasts

Watch the teaser