The UK Young Academy’s New Members’ Induction for the cohort of 2026.
At this meeting, the brand-new cohort will come together for the first time to learn about who the UK Young Academy is and its activities and programmes. Session will include an introduction to who the UK Young Academy is, how the Young Academy fits into the wider global Young Academy landscape and what they can expect to gain from joining the community. New members will also be introduced to each other through speed spotlight sessions throughout the day.
Organiser
UK Young Academy
UK Young Academy
10am – 10.30am
Arrival and refreshments
10.30am – 10.40am
Welcome and overview for the day
Edward Pyzer-Knapp
Co- founder and Chief Scientific Officer from Xyme
Ed is Head of Research Innovation for IBM's UK and Ireland labs. He is interested in the use of powerful emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, to help to answer some of the biggest challenges of our time. He obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge, and then moved to Harvard University, finally leaving to help start the IBM Research Lab in the UK in 2015. He holds a visiting Professorship at the University of Liverpool, and also an honorary position at the University of Cambridge.
Ed is Editor in Chief of the Wiley journal Applied AI Letters, has authored more than 70 papers and conference proceedings, filed multiple patents, and has authored a textbook on the use of AI for physical science, published by Wiley in 2021.
10.40am – 10.55am
Icebreaker
Edward Pyzer-Knapp
Co- founder and Chief Scientific Officer from Xyme
Ed is Head of Research Innovation for IBM's UK and Ireland labs. He is interested in the use of powerful emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, to help to answer some of the biggest challenges of our time. He obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge, and then moved to Harvard University, finally leaving to help start the IBM Research Lab in the UK in 2015. He holds a visiting Professorship at the University of Liverpool, and also an honorary position at the University of Cambridge.
Ed is Editor in Chief of the Wiley journal Applied AI Letters, has authored more than 70 papers and conference proceedings, filed multiple patents, and has authored a textbook on the use of AI for physical science, published by Wiley in 2021.
10.55am – 11.20am
Introduction to the UK Young Academy
Denis Newman-Griffis
Senior Lecturer and AI for Health Lead from University of Sheffield Centre for Machine Intelligence
Denis Newman-Griffis (they/them) is a transdisciplinary leader working at the intersection of academic research and policy to shape responsible AI, AI-enabled research, and the intersection of AI and disability. Their research integrates perspectives from AI and machine learning, critical data studies, and health informatics to understand how AI and research systems can be ethically designed and managed to improve human flourishing.
Denis has developed some of the first natural language processing methods for analysing information about the lived experience of disability, and is pioneering methods for examining the AI design process from a critical disability perspective. They are working to develop best practices for responsible AI design and growing the international community around disability informatics.
Denis is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Sheffield and AI for Health Lead in the Centre for Machine Intelligence. They received the AMIA Doctoral Dissertation Award in 2021.
11.20am – 11.35am
What we do | Groups and roles
Jahangir Alom
Emergency Medicine Doctor and Former Clinical Lead for the NHS Staff Vaccination Programme from Barts Health NHS Trust
Jahangir Alom gained his primary medical qualification at the University of Southampton. He holds an MSc in Public Health from The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where he researched the experience of British Bangladeshis during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. He is a board member at the Institute of Public Policy Research, a Westminster think tank and a Governor at Stepney All Saint School, a non selective state school in East London. In his free time he has completed the London and Tokyo Marathon to raise funds for a global health charity, Selfless, where he is the Programme Director.
He was a recipient of an NHS Parliamentary Award (London) for his work on tackling vaccine inequality and was ranked in the top 100 influential healthcare leaders in 2022 by the Health Service Journal. In the New Years Honours 2024, Jahangir received a British Empire Medal for services to tackling health inequalities.
11.35am – 12pm
New members' spotlight | Session 1
Spotlights from new members, facilitated by:
Sophie Meekings
Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow from University of York
Sophie Meekings is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on understanding speech production in typical speakers and people with communication disabilities (like stuttering). Studying voices was an unusual choice, as Sophie is profoundly deaf—but she believes her lived experience of communication disability makes her a better researcher as she has a deep personal understanding of the complexity of spoken communication and the challenges it can pose for disabled people.
Sophie is currently a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Postdoctoral fellow, with previous work funded by the British Academy and the ESRC. In her spare time, she volunteers for a national outdoor education charity and can teach you how to light a fire, read a map, or whittle a spoon.
12pm – 12.20pm
Morning break
Opportunity for refreshment, networking and new member headshots.
12.20pm – 12.50pm
The global Young Academy landscape
12.50pm – 1.05pm
What we do | Opportunities and events
Sandeep Sandhu
Executive Director, Global, Investment & Insights from Innovate UK Business Connect
Dr Sandeep Sandhu is a research and innovation expert with experience across government, academia, and international partnerships. She currently leads a 50-strong directorate at Innovate UK Business Connect, spanning global partnerships, policy and insight, strategic stakeholder engagement, and private investment across the UK and Africa. Sandeep has built impactful collaborations with governments, industry, investors, and universities worldwide, and previously led IUK’s international programmes, brokering bilateral innovation partnerships with key global economies.
Earlier, Sandeep served as Senior International Policy Manager at UK Research and Innovation, where she developed UKRI’s international strategy, advanced European science policy, and represented the UK on the Global Research Council. At the Medical Research Council, she managed global health programmes including the Newton Fund and GCRF, and acted as National Contact Point for Health for Horizon 2020.
She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.
1.05pm – 1.30pm
New members' spotlight | Session 2
Spotlights from new members, facilitated by:
Linda Oyama
Lecturer in Microbiomics, Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health from Queen's University Belfast
Linda Oyama is a microbiologist and lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, with a First-class Microbiology degree and a PhD in Biological Sciences.
Linda’s research interests center around understanding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microbiomes from a One Health perspective through surveillance and epidemiological studies using meta-omics approaches. She aims to tackle AMR through the discovery and development of novel treatment options for various clinical and veterinary multidrug resistant (MDR) infections.
1.30pm – 2.25pm
Lunch
2.25pm – 2.45pm
What we do | Projects
Amy Vincent
Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow from Newcastle University
Amy Vincent is a Newcastle Academic Track Fellow at Newcastle University in the Mitochondrial Research group and John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre. She completed her PhD in 2017 and was awarded a Fellowship in 2019, when she was invited to be a principal investigator in (WCMR). Mitochondria are the batteries of our cells making the energy for the cells to function. Amy's group work on understanding the cause and progression of a rare disease called mitochondrial disease, and the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on muscle cells.
Public and patient engagement are incredibly important to Amy, who regularly attends family days run by the Lily Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy UK. Amy is active on several committees which focus on equality, diversity and inclusion and career development for early career researchers. Amy is a woman in STEM and a member of the LGBTQ+ community in STEM.
2.45pm – 3.45pm
Round tables for scoping activities
Facilitated by:
Amy Vincent
Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow from Newcastle University
Amy Vincent is a Newcastle Academic Track Fellow at Newcastle University in the Mitochondrial Research group and John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre. She completed her PhD in 2017 and was awarded a Fellowship in 2019, when she was invited to be a principal investigator in (WCMR). Mitochondria are the batteries of our cells making the energy for the cells to function. Amy's group work on understanding the cause and progression of a rare disease called mitochondrial disease, and the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on muscle cells.
Public and patient engagement are incredibly important to Amy, who regularly attends family days run by the Lily Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy UK. Amy is active on several committees which focus on equality, diversity and inclusion and career development for early career researchers. Amy is a woman in STEM and a member of the LGBTQ+ community in STEM.
3.45pm – 4.15pm
Afternoon break
Opportunity for refreshment, networking and new member headshots.
4.15pm – 4.30pm
Governance and staff support
Amy Fry
UK Young Academy Programme Manager from UK Young Academy
Amy Fry is the Programme Manager for the UK Young Academy, and has been in the role since 2021, supporting in the planning and launch of the organisation in 2022 and operational running since. She manages the Staff team, and is the main point of contact for the Executive Group, Partner Academies and other stakeholders involved in the initiative.
Her background is in public engagement with science and project management, and she has been involved with running science festivals, delivering engagement initiatives such as book prizes and interdisciplinary grant funding as well as managing a range of small and large scale events and trainings.
She is passionate about advocating for the voices of early-career individuals and is an avid theatre-goer in her spare time.
Lesley Miles
Chief Officer – Programmes, Partnerships and Engagement
Chief Officer – Programmes, Partnerships and Engagement – at the Royal Society, having joined in 2013 as the Chief Strategy Officer. Her role includes responsibility for major strands of work including grants, public, schools and industry engagement and the Royal Society’s focus on diversity and inclusion in STEM. She is the staff lead for the UK Young Academy at the Royal Society. Before joining the Royal Society, Lesley was the Marketing and Communications Director of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Most of her career was spent working in the private sector, including six years as Marketing Director of Waterstones Booksellers.
4.30pm – 4.45pm
Processes and platforms
Charlotte Senior
UK Young Academy Membership and Alumni Officer from UK Young Academy
Charlotte Senior is the Membership Officer and joined the UK Young Academy at the end of November 2023. As part of her role, she overseas member activities and development, facilitates member-led projects, and organises events for members and stakeholders, including the New Members’ Induction and Annual Members’ Meeting. She is also the project manager for the yearly call for applications.
With previous roles spanning design to clinical reporting, Charlotte has experience in membership and public engagement, organising sell-out public events, and supporting individuals at all stages of their careers to develop new skills.
Outside of work, Charlotte is a regular performer with the BBC Symphony Chorus and keen houseplant cultivator – casual hobbies which have grown exceedingly out of hand.
4.45pm – 4.55pm
Making the most of your membership
Linda Oyama
Lecturer in Microbiomics, Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health from Queen's University Belfast
Linda Oyama is a microbiologist and lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, with a First-class Microbiology degree and a PhD in Biological Sciences.
Linda’s research interests center around understanding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microbiomes from a One Health perspective through surveillance and epidemiological studies using meta-omics approaches. She aims to tackle AMR through the discovery and development of novel treatment options for various clinical and veterinary multidrug resistant (MDR) infections.
4.55pm – 5.20pm
Ask me anything
Jahangir Alom
Emergency Medicine Doctor and Former Clinical Lead for the NHS Staff Vaccination Programme from Barts Health NHS Trust
Jahangir Alom gained his primary medical qualification at the University of Southampton. He holds an MSc in Public Health from The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where he researched the experience of British Bangladeshis during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. He is a board member at the Institute of Public Policy Research, a Westminster think tank and a Governor at Stepney All Saint School, a non selective state school in East London. In his free time he has completed the London and Tokyo Marathon to raise funds for a global health charity, Selfless, where he is the Programme Director.
He was a recipient of an NHS Parliamentary Award (London) for his work on tackling vaccine inequality and was ranked in the top 100 influential healthcare leaders in 2022 by the Health Service Journal. In the New Years Honours 2024, Jahangir received a British Empire Medal for services to tackling health inequalities.
Amy Fry
UK Young Academy Programme Manager from UK Young Academy
Amy Fry is the Programme Manager for the UK Young Academy, and has been in the role since 2021, supporting in the planning and launch of the organisation in 2022 and operational running since. She manages the Staff team, and is the main point of contact for the Executive Group, Partner Academies and other stakeholders involved in the initiative.
Her background is in public engagement with science and project management, and she has been involved with running science festivals, delivering engagement initiatives such as book prizes and interdisciplinary grant funding as well as managing a range of small and large scale events and trainings.
She is passionate about advocating for the voices of early-career individuals and is an avid theatre-goer in her spare time.
Sophie Meekings
Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow from University of York
Sophie Meekings is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on understanding speech production in typical speakers and people with communication disabilities (like stuttering). Studying voices was an unusual choice, as Sophie is profoundly deaf—but she believes her lived experience of communication disability makes her a better researcher as she has a deep personal understanding of the complexity of spoken communication and the challenges it can pose for disabled people.
Sophie is currently a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Postdoctoral fellow, with previous work funded by the British Academy and the ESRC. In her spare time, she volunteers for a national outdoor education charity and can teach you how to light a fire, read a map, or whittle a spoon.
Tom Musgrove
UK Young Academy Assistant from UK Young Academy
Tom Musgrove is the Assistant on the UKYA Staff Team, having started this position in August 2025.
Prior to joining the UKYA team, he studied for a PhD at Queen Mary University of London, where he researched ‘Histories and Futures in Britain’s Imagined Balkans, 1856-1914’, a project which explored the formation of stereotypical images of Southeastern Europe within late-nineteenth-century Britain.
Alongside this, he worked with the Institute of Historical Research to coordinate seminars and conferences for early-career researchers on the history of political thought.
Outside work, he is a keen creative writer and cohosts a podcast about unpopular or obscure Doctor Who episodes.
Denis Newman-Griffis
Senior Lecturer and AI for Health Lead from University of Sheffield Centre for Machine Intelligence
Denis Newman-Griffis (they/them) is a transdisciplinary leader working at the intersection of academic research and policy to shape responsible AI, AI-enabled research, and the intersection of AI and disability. Their research integrates perspectives from AI and machine learning, critical data studies, and health informatics to understand how AI and research systems can be ethically designed and managed to improve human flourishing.
Denis has developed some of the first natural language processing methods for analysing information about the lived experience of disability, and is pioneering methods for examining the AI design process from a critical disability perspective. They are working to develop best practices for responsible AI design and growing the international community around disability informatics.
Denis is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Sheffield and AI for Health Lead in the Centre for Machine Intelligence. They received the AMIA Doctoral Dissertation Award in 2021.
Linda Oyama
Lecturer in Microbiomics, Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health from Queen's University Belfast
Linda Oyama is a microbiologist and lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, with a First-class Microbiology degree and a PhD in Biological Sciences.
Linda’s research interests center around understanding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microbiomes from a One Health perspective through surveillance and epidemiological studies using meta-omics approaches. She aims to tackle AMR through the discovery and development of novel treatment options for various clinical and veterinary multidrug resistant (MDR) infections.
Lucy Druce Parfitt
UK Young Academy Communications Officer from UK Young Academy
Lucy Parfitt is the Communications Officer for the UK Young Academy. She leads the development of multi-channel communication strategies and works to raise the visibility of members’ work both within the organisation and externally.
Previously, she was the Marketing and Communications lead for the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s public engagement programme. Lucy has also spent several years supporting the broader education sector, including roles in higher education, youth work, and secondary education.
Outside of work, she is a keen singer-songwriter, a history enthusiast, and can often be found swimming in cold bodies of water.
Edward Pyzer-Knapp
Co- founder and Chief Scientific Officer from Xyme
Ed is Head of Research Innovation for IBM's UK and Ireland labs. He is interested in the use of powerful emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, to help to answer some of the biggest challenges of our time. He obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge, and then moved to Harvard University, finally leaving to help start the IBM Research Lab in the UK in 2015. He holds a visiting Professorship at the University of Liverpool, and also an honorary position at the University of Cambridge.
Ed is Editor in Chief of the Wiley journal Applied AI Letters, has authored more than 70 papers and conference proceedings, filed multiple patents, and has authored a textbook on the use of AI for physical science, published by Wiley in 2021.
Sandeep Sandhu
Executive Director, Global, Investment & Insights from Innovate UK Business Connect
Dr Sandeep Sandhu is a research and innovation expert with experience across government, academia, and international partnerships. She currently leads a 50-strong directorate at Innovate UK Business Connect, spanning global partnerships, policy and insight, strategic stakeholder engagement, and private investment across the UK and Africa. Sandeep has built impactful collaborations with governments, industry, investors, and universities worldwide, and previously led IUK’s international programmes, brokering bilateral innovation partnerships with key global economies.
Earlier, Sandeep served as Senior International Policy Manager at UK Research and Innovation, where she developed UKRI’s international strategy, advanced European science policy, and represented the UK on the Global Research Council. At the Medical Research Council, she managed global health programmes including the Newton Fund and GCRF, and acted as National Contact Point for Health for Horizon 2020.
She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.
Charlotte Senior
UK Young Academy Membership and Alumni Officer from UK Young Academy
Charlotte Senior is the Membership Officer and joined the UK Young Academy at the end of November 2023. As part of her role, she overseas member activities and development, facilitates member-led projects, and organises events for members and stakeholders, including the New Members’ Induction and Annual Members’ Meeting. She is also the project manager for the yearly call for applications.
With previous roles spanning design to clinical reporting, Charlotte has experience in membership and public engagement, organising sell-out public events, and supporting individuals at all stages of their careers to develop new skills.
Outside of work, Charlotte is a regular performer with the BBC Symphony Chorus and keen houseplant cultivator – casual hobbies which have grown exceedingly out of hand.
Amy Vincent
Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow from Newcastle University
Amy Vincent is a Newcastle Academic Track Fellow at Newcastle University in the Mitochondrial Research group and John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre. She completed her PhD in 2017 and was awarded a Fellowship in 2019, when she was invited to be a principal investigator in (WCMR). Mitochondria are the batteries of our cells making the energy for the cells to function. Amy's group work on understanding the cause and progression of a rare disease called mitochondrial disease, and the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on muscle cells.
Public and patient engagement are incredibly important to Amy, who regularly attends family days run by the Lily Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy UK. Amy is active on several committees which focus on equality, diversity and inclusion and career development for early career researchers. Amy is a woman in STEM and a member of the LGBTQ+ community in STEM.
5.20pm – 5.30pm
Closing and overview for the evening
Sophie Meekings
Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow from University of York
Sophie Meekings is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on understanding speech production in typical speakers and people with communication disabilities (like stuttering). Studying voices was an unusual choice, as Sophie is profoundly deaf—but she believes her lived experience of communication disability makes her a better researcher as she has a deep personal understanding of the complexity of spoken communication and the challenges it can pose for disabled people.
Sophie is currently a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Postdoctoral fellow, with previous work funded by the British Academy and the ESRC. In her spare time, she volunteers for a national outdoor education charity and can teach you how to light a fire, read a map, or whittle a spoon.
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Informal evening reception
Informal drinks and bowl food for the new 2026 cohort and their buddies from the current UK Young Academy membership.
