Three Pillars of YAS Are “Policy Research, Volunteer Work, and Convergence Study” … Creating Various Cooperation Partners Is Crucial

“Voice of young scientists must be reflected in policy”

One of the most eye-catching ones of the young academies in thirty or so countries is Young Academy of Sweden (YAS).   

True that it is riding on the coattails of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which is responsible for recommending and judging candidates for Nobel Prize, but it is mainly because that aiming at “a research policy platform for young people in science and technology’, YAS has been actively voicing its input from right after its creation.

Presenting its opinions to ‘Horizon 2020’ of European Research Council (ERC) and requesting Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) for improved environment that can keep young scientists on research including guaranteed long-term research support, YAS is actively engaged in politics.  

Through an interview with Chair Camilla Svensson (professor of Karolinska Institutet), we heard YAS’s current status and planned activities.

What needs led to the creation of an academy for young scientists?

Young scientists, who are creative and vigorously curious, can play an import part with their new ideas and solutions in overcoming the current crisis.  

Also, to create a future fir for their research, young scientists should gather voices and influence related policies.  

Thus, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences thought that it had to provide an opportunity for the young and find scientists of Sweden to create a network by crossing geographical and academic boundaries.    

Particularly, the contemporary trend was increasing support for young scientists, which was illustrated by the creation of young academies in several countries including other countries within Europe. 

As a multidisciplinary forum designed to install dynamism in all young scientists operating in all areas of research and as a research policy platform, YAS expects that researchers will get new ideas through exchanges and discussions with other areas of study.

The regulations provide for a membership of between 30 and 50 persons.   

It has never been more than 47 members, and my erstwhile experience convinces me that about 35 persons ensures the most effective operation.  

It is the size that promotes better understanding among the members and ensures more constructive discussions at the meetings.  

And, although it does not specify maximum number of members for different specialties.

As it is an organization for convergence research, I think a balance among specialties is crucial.

Now, YAS members are very active.  

They operate in various working groups and have four regular meetings each year.

A regular meeting lasted two full days, and even the intervening seminar registered a high participation rate.  

For this, all members should have this commitment as proprietors.

My concern is that if the organization gets too big, not only the personal ties among members but also links among organizations will get compromised.

What is the activity that YAS sets greatest store by?

The three pillars that support YAS are policy research, volunteer work, and convergence research.  

The three factors are equally important.  

Subcommittees are operated for different areas, and each member is affiliated with one or more subcommittees.   

The subcommittees hold meetings, presents ideas for activities, engage in discussions, and draw up plans. 

For last couple of years, we focused on policy research to present our opinion in the importance of basic science and young researchers’ job security for a nationally researched legal bill that the government disclosed in 2016 winter.

Meanwhile, as we make much of activities in international exchange, we actively host gatherings of members who will participate in international seminars and workshops held every autumn.

What do you regret most about the activities of YAS?

One thing is about having to get robust finance, and the other is that we have yet to show that the organization can keep on with its development. 

Currently, YAS is run with the sponsorships from four big conglomerates. 

It is hard to say, however, that the organization is financially secure, because in 2019 and 2020, the contracts with those foundations will expire. 

Although the contract renewal will be pretty likely, it is imperative that we expand financial resources and increase assets to come up with a sustainable operating plan.

Another important thing is to widen the scope of operation for YAS. 

That is how we can get talented individuals equipped with diverse knowledge and insight from all parts of Sweden. 

YAS has started ‘YAS on Tour’ project, which is about explaining how to develop careers at seminars it holds in different regions. 

Last March, we had our first seminar at Uppsala (a college town in southeast Sweden), and we are going to have at least five more seminar by this autumn.

YAS celebrated its 5th anniversary. 

This means that the founding members have their term (5 years) expiring soon and they will leave the academy soon. 

Even if they leave YAS, however, I’m sure, the members’ passion for participation and sense of solidarity will last.