UK Young Academy launches initiative to support at-risk academics as applications for membership reopen

The UK Young Academy has launched a new initiative aimed at supporting at-risk early-career individuals in the UK and beyond, as part of its recently announced call for new membership applications. 

This new scheme, co-led by UK Young Academy members Ana Blanco Alvarez and Amit Pujari, aims to support academics and professionals from marginalised and underrepresented communities to apply for membership at the UK Young Academy, provide skills development, and amplify their voices for positive change. 

This initiative is part of a global programme successfully implemented by other Young Academies around the world, including the Young Academy of Scotland (YAS), The College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists in Canada, and the Global Young Academy. 

In collaboration with the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), the UK Young Academy will offer membership places to at-risk academics, establish a mentorship scheme and annual workshops, ensure visibility of academic resources, and help academics integrate into UK organisations and institutions. Future plans include expanding the initiative with new project partners to support at-risk individuals across various sectors beyond academia. 

At-risk academics within Cara’s network are invited to apply for membership via a dedicated application form, with eligibility checked by Cara. 

Linda Oyama, microbiologist and lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast, and UK Young Academy Executive Group representative, says: “The launch of this initiative by the UK Young Academy marks a significant commitment to supporting at-risk early-career individuals across diverse sectors. By partnering with Cara, we aim to work with individuals from their network to provide essential mentoring opportunities and support their integration into UK academic networks.   

“This initiative not only opens doors for personal and career development but also strengthens our collective ability to address global challenges by amplifying at-risk voices in shaping meaningful solutions and collaboration worldwide.”  

Alongside the at-risk scheme, the UK Young Academy is also accepting applications for its general membership, which is open to all early-career individuals, from both academic and non-academic backgrounds, including at-risk professionals, who are passionate about driving innovative solutions for positive change across sectors. 

Formed in 2022, the UK Young Academy is an interdisciplinary network of early-career researchers and professionals established to tackle societal issues and promote meaningful change. The Young Academy provides a forum for emerging leaders from various sectors to exchange ideas, share expertise, and participate in local and global policy discussions. The at-risk scheme is one example of an initiative being driven and developed by its members to address existing challenges in the UK. 

This round of applications to the UK Young Academy closes at 3pm (BST) on Wednesday 9 October 2024. Applicants will be informed of the outcome by Spring 2025, with membership running for five years.