UK Young Academy
The UK Young Academy brings together professionals, innovators, clinicians, researchers, academics, and entrepreneurs from across the UK to tackle global issues.
Established in 2022, the UK Young Academy is an interdisciplinary collaboration with the following prestigious national academies: the Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Learned Society of Wales, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Irish Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Royal Society. It joins the global initiative of Young Academies, with the UK Young Academy becoming the 50th to join the Young Academy movement.
Loughborough University has supported several colleagues with the UK Young Academy application process with impressive results. In 2023, four Loughborough University academics were selected to be founding members (the most of any other higher education institution), and earlier this year two Loughborough alumni joined the UK Young Academy’s second cohort.
Applications are now open (closing date 9 October 2024) for membership of the UK Young Academy’s third cohort, and the University is once again offering an intensive programme of mentoring and training over the summer to support suitable applicants.
UK Young Academy Membership
Eligibility
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Be in the early stages of a professional career
- Have between 3-12 years of experience in your field
- Provide evidence to demonstrate a track record of excellence
- Reside in the UK (more information can be found on the UK Young Academy’s website
Even if you’re not sure that you’ll meet all the criteria, the UK Young Academy still encourages individuals to apply. Those who have been on career breaks (including parental and adoptive leave or extended sick leave) will also be considered.
What does the application form consist of?
There are three main sections that cover:
- An applicant’s career history demonstrating excellence in career and professional achievement
- A personal statement demonstrating leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial activity, and interdisciplinary working and participation in international collaboration
- An applicant’s vision and commitment towards the UK Young Academy.
For the latter, applicants are asked (if they are able and feel comfortable to do so) to provide a three-minute video. Applicants are also required to submit details of two referees. The closing date is 9 October 2024.
How much time will you need to commit as a member?
Membership lasts five years with a minimal time commitment of 4-5 hours/month. However, the UK Young Academy will support and encourage members to contribute as much time as they are able to. Optional leadership opportunities will also be available to members which may require additional time.
Global Young Academy
The Global Young Academy was founded in 2010 and is open to scholars in the early stages of their academic careers working independently in any research-based discipline. The Global Young Academy connects and mobilises talent, fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, and addresses societal challenges. Members are chosen based on their scientific excellence and dedication to societal engagement.
The Global Young Academy membership call for 2025 will open shortly (closing date 15 September 2024) and the University is offering, for the first time, mentoring opportunities during the summer for internally selected applicants.
Global Young Academy Membership
Eligibility
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Be in the early stages of an independent academic career
- Be 3-10 years post-doctorate
- Provide evidence to demonstrate scientific excellence and commitment to engaging with society
What does the application form consist of?
The application form requests basic biographical information and includes several short essay questions regarding:
- An applicant’s independence as a researcher
- The impact an applicant has made on society through their research and/or related activities
- A personal vision for improving research and the situation of young scholars worldwide
- A reflection of any obstacles an applicant has overcome during their life/career and skill development
- An applicant’s experience in interdisciplinary/international research.
In addition, Global Young Academy applicants are required to provide their CV, letter(s) of support, and a declaration document. The closing date is 15 September 2024.
How much time will you need to commit as a member?
Membership lasts for five years with a minimal time commitment of 4 hours/month. New Global Young Academy members should be available to attend the next Annual General Meeting scheduled for 10-13 June 2025 in Hyderabad, India.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings said: “I am very supportive of Young Academies and strongly encourage colleagues and alumni who are emerging early-career leaders to apply. Both the UK Young Academy and the Global Young Academy are impressive interdisciplinary initiatives that align with our University vision and will provide invaluable opportunities for passionate individuals with diverse experiences and expertise to come together to discuss and drive meaningful change on societal challenges.”
What support will be provided by Loughborough University?
The Enhanced Academic Practice (EAP - Organisational Development and Change) has created a bespoke support package to assist with the application process of each Academy for a limited number of applicants. Support includes mentorship to receive feedback on written application forms, and for the UK Young Academy, training to aid the video aspect of the submission.
Those who are interested should complete this short internal form by 5 August 2024. After this date, an internal selection process led by EAP with input from Senior Management including within Schools/Professional Services will take place. The selection process will determine the suitability of prospective applicants, and who will be offered support towards their application.
As a University, we recognise there are societal and institutional barriers that work against supporting the development and progression of careers for those with protected characteristics. We are actively encouraging and supporting individuals from minority groups to apply for this opportunity.
How can I become a mentor to those applying to Young Academies?
Loughborough University is keen to provide opportunities for colleagues to connect and develop each other. Therefore, academic staff from various disciplines, those in academic supporting roles, and alumni are encouraged to put themselves forward to mentor those wishing to apply to the UK Young Academy and/or the Global Young Academy.
The time commitment is not expected to be onerous; it is envisaged that mentors will be allocated up to two mentees each and provide approximately three hours of support per applicant during August and September 2024. Mentors will be asked to provide constructive feedback on written applications. Mentors may also be asked to provide feedback on the three-minute videos that mentees are required to submit as part of the UK Young Academy application.
If you would like to be a mentor, please complete this short form by 5 August 2024 and inform your line manager. Your expression of interest will be shared with the Dean of your School/Head of your Professional Service and other University Senior Management to highlight your willingness to support colleagues.
If you have any questions or need more information or support, please contact Dr Katryna Kalawsky.