allea president professor jüri engelbrecht academies and young scientists: towards a european young...

All European Academies

ALLEA President Professor Jüri Engelbrecht

Academies and Young Scientists: Towards a European Young Academy?

EU Presidency Conference “Researcher in Europe without Borders” 28-29 April 2009, Prague, Czech Republic

ALLEA represents 53 National Academies of Sciences and Humanities in 40 European countries

According to an ALLEA survey conducted in early 2009 (to be published):

most Member Academies offer specific support for early career scholars, such as:◦ Research programme support (GEBIP: Turkish Academy of Sciences)◦ Fellowships (e.g.: Royal Society)◦ Doctoral scholarships(e.g.: Polish Academy of Sciences)◦ Prizes (e.g.: Otto Wichterle Award of ASČR)◦ Travel Grants (e.g.: Swiss Academies)◦ Young Scientists’ Fora / Clubs (e.g.: Israel, Estonia, Finland) ◦ etc.

very few offer a role in the science policy function of the Academy

ALLEA: Academies and Young Scientists

Prof. Jüri Engelbrecht, 28-29 April 2009, PragueAcademies and Young Scientists

ALLEA aims at strengthening the role of young scientists in the development of a vision for the European Research Area

Some Member Academies have established Young Academies: ◦ DE: BBAW / Leopoldina: Die Junge Akademie (2000)◦ NL: KNAW: De Jonge Akademie (2005)◦ AT: Austrian Academy of Sciences: Junge Kurie (2008)

which offer an opportunity to:◦ Enable interdisciplinary research◦ Establish a network of future science leaders◦ Encourage playing a role in science policy debates◦ Embrace responsibility to support early enthusiasm for science



ALLEA works towards a European Young Academytogether with partners (e.g. ESF)

Background:

Increase in substandial funding for early career researchers in Europe (EURYI / Marie Curie / ERC Starting Grants)

Few early career scholars in science policy bodies Better platforms for preparation of innovative

interdisciplinary exchanges Better interaction needed for science & society

interaction (incl.: science education!)



Discussions

Learn from successful national Young Academy models (ex.: DE, NL, AT)

Learn from other young scholar networks(WAYS; Lindau; TWAS; IAP/WEF)

Consult with ALLEA Member Academies (survey > report > debate)

Consult with partners(ESF: cooperation between research councils and academies; EU; others)



Next Steps London III/2009: Discussion between research

councils and academies Vienna VI/2009: Brainstorming workshop with

early career scientists selected competitively Europe-wide and with panel of national Young Academies

Amsterdam XI/2009: ALLEA General Strategy Meeting (discuss report)

Venue tbd 2010: World Panel on Young Academies

Venue tbd, Summer 2011: Launch Conference



Issues to be resolved:

Degree of independence: supported by, but independent from mother academies

Method of selection: self-rejuvenation?; representation?; scientific balance?

Financial support: ◦ public/private mix needed ◦ basic support for activities; seed money; no grants



Function of a European Young Academy

Stimulate scientific dialogues; Contribute to science / society debates

Voice of next generation of science leaders in Europe

A way to move forward in ERA / EHEA for the next generation



Worldwide ContextNational: e.g.: Sudanese Academy of SciencesInternational: “Annual Meeting of New Champions”Launched in Tianjin, China, 26-28 Sept 2008Supported by IAP and World Economic ForumALLEA Predident chaired Programme Committee ca. 50 young scientists (recommendations worldwide) Two special sessions

◦ Managing Science for a better world◦ The Role of Frontier Sciences in Shaping Society

Next Meeting: Dalian,China, 9-12 Sept 2009 Proposals for participation expected from academies



IAP/WEF joint initiative

Tianjin Statement of Global Young Scientists: “Passion for Science, Passion for a Better World”

Conclusion: “Making a better world needs better science – we young scientists are ready to contribute our share”



More Information:

ALLEA Secretariat P.O Box 191211000 GC AmsterdamThe NetherlandsT: +31 (0)20 5510754F: +31 (0)20 6204941E: [email protected]



mailto:[email protected]

allea president professor jüri engelbrecht academies and young scientists: towards a european young...

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