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Newsletter July 2018
Foreword by the Co-Chairs

We are pleased to share our news in July; most exciting is that our new member call has just been published, and our members are in the process of translating it into as many languages as possible (a few of these translations are already available on our website here). We will greatly appreciate you sharing this call far and wide, as we are always looking to reach excellent young scientists everywhere, especially those whose voice has traditionally been left out of the international science and policy discussions.
 
Besides this greatly anticipated annual event, we are also wrapping up the business that arose at our AGM this past May. A major output from that is our Statement on Healthy Ageing, which was the theme of the Young Scientist Conference held alongside our AGM. You can also catch the pictorial and video highlights of both events as these have now been curated and been made available to the public.
 
In the meantime, the mobile, connected and engaged young scientists in the GYA have been making their presence felt in various international science and policy fora. Of note is our participation in Europe’s premier science event, the Euroscience Open Forum, (ESOF), as well as its satellite events. Our members contributed to issues ranging from Open Science, to considering how young African Scientists in Europe can contribute to the advancement of science on the African Continent. Earlier in the month we also witnessed the launch of the International Science Council, a merger of the International Social Science Council (ISSC) and the International Council for Science (ICSU). We are excited to be a part of the birth of this unified council since we at the GYA also aim to provide a voice to all the sciences.
 
In this issue we also highlight the achievements of some of our members: one has been selected to join the German Junge Akademie; some have been selected as Young Affiliates of the African Academy of Sciences; another has been invited to join the Science Advice for Policy by European Academies’ (SAPEA) working group on Microplastics. Finally, we are also represented on both the advisory and editorial boards of the newly launched journal Scientific African. We welcome and celebrate these achievements as they increase the reach and impact of the GYA.
 
If you are receiving this issue then you have explicitly agreed to continue receiving news from us (by agreeing to the terms of our updated privacy policy – available here), and we value your continued support.

Do stay in touch!

On behalf of the GYA Executive Committee
 
Tolu Oni (UK) and Connie Nshemereirwe (Uganda)

 

Table of contents

  1. GYA News
    1. Readings of interest
  2. GYA in the Media
  3. News from Our Members
  4. GYA Activities
    1. WG and Flagship Project Highlights
  5. National Young Academies Updates
  6. GYA Strategic Conferences Updates
  7. GYA External Partners
  8. Other Upcoming Events
 

GYA News

Call for new GYA members now open
Help us spread the word that we’re looking for new members! Applications are currently being sought from young, independent scholars who combine the highest level of research excellence with a demonstrated passion for delivering social impact.
The Call for New Members page is available here.
The Application Form is available here.
Deadline for application is 15 September 2018.
Please help us spread the word!
 
AGM Conference Statement on healthy ageing published
In May, young scientists and researchers from more than 50 different countries came together at the Global Young Academy’s 8th Annual General Meeting and International Conference for Young Scientists in Pattaya, Thailand, to discuss the challenges and possibilities for sustainable and healthy ageing. After compiling the ideas discussed during their conference, GYA members have finalised the Conference’s Statement (available here). This GYA Statement emphasises the need to re-frame issues surrounding ageing and to recognise and foster links between global and local developments. More information is available here.
AGM 2018 photos and videos available
Just a reminder that photos from the 2018 AGM have been curated and uploaded to a flickr folder here, and a selection of videos are available on our YouTube channel here. While you’re there, please remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
 
 
Readings of interest
Measuring research excellence
Africa funds a minute portion of its highly-cited research, a metric often used as a proxy for quality. But that tells us more about idiosyncrasies in the way that we evaluate research than it does about Africa's own commitment to rigour and usability. Read more on measuring research excellence from science journalist and GYA Advisory Board member Linda Nordling here.
 
Please email us any interesting reading that speaks to GYA aims that you'd like to share with members, and we'll post it here.
 
 
Leave your thoughts on GYA News here

 

GYA in the Media

GYA Co-Chair Tolu Oni (UK) and GYA alumna Ghada Bassioni (Egypt) are both featured in the Robert Bosch Foundation magazine ‘Afrika’, available here.
 
 
(If you have written about the GYA and/or come across articles about the GYA in the media, please let us know by clicking the feedback link below or sending us an email.

 
Leave your thoughts on GYA in the Media here
 
 

News from Our Members

GYA members participate in first Science Media Festival in Halle
GYA members Suzanne Bouclin (Canada), Lisa Herzog (Germany), Thomas Edison dela Cruz (Philippines), Clarissa Rios Rojas (Italy/Peru), Mohamed Elhadidy (Egypt) and Daniel Ochieng Orwenjo (Kenya), together with GYA Project Officer Jennifer Plaul, actively participated in ‘SILBERSALZ’, a science media film festival that took place in Halle (Saale), Germany, from 28 June to 1 July. The festival, which included four days of films, workshops, lectures and discussions, was coordinated by Documentary Campus, supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation, and hosted at the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. More information is available here.
 
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates programme selects GYA members
Congratulations to GYA members Adewale Adewuyi (Nigeria), Marian Nkansah (Ghana), Maha Nasr (Egypt), and Lahcen El Youssfi (Morocco), all of whom were selected in the past as Affiliates in The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Affiliates programme. Every year the AAS selects 25 affiliates who are nominated to their position in recognition of their academic and research excellence. Successful nominees are designated as AAS Affiliates for five years. More information is available here.
 
Science Advice for Policy by European Academies working group selects GYA member
GYA member Bart Kolodziejczyk (Australia) has been selected to join the international Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) Working Group on ‘Micro and Nano Plastics’. This SAPEA working group will produce scientific advice for the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism. SAPEA is the main mechanism through which evidence-based science policy reaches the European Commission. More information is available here.
 
Seminar on Participatory Research in Mauritius
On 11 July 2018, GYA member Shaheen Motala-Timol (Mauritius) and GYA alumnus Fawzi Mohamad Mahomoodally (Mauritius) participated in a seminar titled ‘Participatory Research in Health Science’, which was organised by the Doctoral School of the University of Mauritius in collaboration with the GYA. More information is available here.
 
Journal welcomes GYA member and alumnae to Editorial Board and Advisory Board
Scientific African has named GYA member Ibrahim Sidi Zakari (Niger) and GYA alumna Sherien Elagroudy (Egypt) as Editorial Board members, and GYA alumna Ghada Bassioni (Egypt) has been appointed to their Advisory Board. More information is available here.

 
Leave your thoughts on News from our Members here

 

GYA Activities

Working Group, Incubator and Flagship Project Highlights

Open Science keynote talk at ESOF
Representing the Open Science working group at the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), GYA member Koen Vermeir (France), delivered a keynote talk during a plenary session titled ‘Opening up Open Science: Innovations, Ideas and Possibilities’; GYA Advisory Board Member Yuko Harayama was also part of this panel. More information is available here.
 
GYA Science for Peace Caravan visits Cambodia
GYA members Rothsophal Nguon (Cambodia), Kit Yee Chan (UK), Hong Ching (Malaysia) and Sasha Kagansky (Russia) from the Young Scientist Ambassador Programme and the Science Education for Youth working group organised a science outreach mission in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in May 2018. Read the story here.
 
Women in Science without Borders Conference 2019
The 3rd International Women in Science without Borders (WISWB) Conference will take place 12 to 14 March 2019 in Egypt. After successful conferences in Egypt (2017) and South Africa (2018), the third conference will focus on ‘Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development’. GYA alumna Amal Amin (Egypt) continues to act as the Conference Chair. The Conference will be preceded by a training programme on ‘Science diplomacy and science advice’ on 10 to 11 March 2019. See here for further details and how to apply to participate.
 
Sustainable African Cities Conference
GYA members Patrick B Cobbinah (Ghana), Ketcha Armand Kablan Malan (Cote d’Ivoire), Chioma Daisy Onyige (Nigeria) and Daniel Ochieng Orwenjo (Kenya) represented the GYA at the conference on ‘Sustainable African Cities’ from 3 to 6 July 2018 in Accra, Ghana.
Organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the conference was part of the Strengthening African Academies project, of which the GYA is a partner. More information is available here.


Leave your thoughts on Working Group, Incubator and Flagship Projects here

 

National Young Academies Updates

GYA member elected to German Junge Akademie
GYA member Michael Saliba (Switzerland) became a member of the German Junge Akademie at their annual membership inauguration and get-together in Berlin, Germany, on 30 June 2018. More information is available here.
 
Uganda National Young Academy elects new members
The Uganda National Young Academy (UNYA) welcomed 8 new members on 23 July 2018. Co-Chair and GYA alumnus Noble Banadda (Uganda) hosted the inauguration ceremony at the African Institute for Capacity Development at Makerere University. This ceremony was preceded by a science leadership workshop styled on the GYA mini- science leadership programmes, and was facilitated by the UNYA Secretary General and GYA Co-Chair Connie Nshemereirwe.
These 8 members bring the total number of UNYA members to 12 (3 women and 9 men), and it is hoped that this injection of new blood will propel the academy to new heights. One of the main priorities of the academy in the upcoming year is to increase their visibility as well as further capitalise on existing strategic partnerships with policy and civil society bodies. The UNYA also looks to increase their links to other NYAs within the continent.
 
Young Academy of Japan
The Young Academy of Japan (YAJ) hosted a public symposium on ‘Young Academy’s Thoughts on Cross-disciplinary Social Collaboration Based on Citizen Science.’ YAJ Chair and GYA member Akihiro Kishimura (Japan) gave an opening address and explained YAJ to the audience. GYA alumnus Masaki Nakamura (Japan) was one of the keynote speakers and talked about how citizen science could change academic research. Kenkichi Takase, the Secretary of YAJ, and other researchers gave a presentation on potentials of citizen science in their disciplines. The YAJ is planning to hold similar symposiums in different places in Japan so that citizen science can be discussed with wider audiences and possibly involve more Japanese citizens in science.
 
NYA updates – spread the news!
If you have any news or updates regarding your NYA, please email Anna-Maria at the GYA Office.

 
Leave your thoughts on NYAs here

 

GYA Strategic Conferences Updates

GYA members and alumni have strong presence at EuroScience Open Forum
The GYA had a strong showing at the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) from 9 to 14 July in Toulouse, France.
In addition to GYA member Koen Vermeir (France) delivering a keynote talk during a plenary session that included GYA Advisory Board member Yuko Harayama, GYA members active at ESOF included Alice Matimba (Zimbabwe), Henri Tonnang (Kenya), as well as GYA alumni Regina Maphanga (South Africa), Ghada Bassioni (Egypt), Martin Dominik (UK) and Vidushi Neergheen-Bhujun (Mauritius).
Moreover, GYA Co-Chairs Tolu Oni (UK) and Connie Nshemereirwe (Uganda) each moderated a panel at the one-day pre-conference event Young African Scientists in Europe (YASE) on 6 July.
More information is available here.
 
GYA nominee at 68th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting
Once every year, approximately 30 Nobel Laureates convene in Lindau, Germany, to meet the next generation of leading scientists. As a nominating partner, the GYA supported young scientist Basak Kandemir, nominated by GYA member Isil Kurnaz (Turkey), to attend the meeting. More information, including Basak’s report, is available here.

 
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GYA External Partners

Launch of International Science Council
On 5 July 2018, the International Social Science Council (ISSC) merged with the International Council for Science (ICSU) to form the International Science Council (ISC), thereby establishing a unified council to act as the global voice for all sciences.
The founding of the ISC was celebrated with a Science Day featuring speeches by leading scientists, high-level representatives of the French government and the United Nations, as well as Daya Reddy, the first President of the International Science Council.
GYA Co-Chair Tolu Oni (UK) attended the launch, and presented during a session titled ‘Policy for science’ at the Maison des Océans in Paris; she also took part in a panel discussion on the topic. More information is available here.

 

Other Upcoming Events

Oxford Meeting to tackle the SDGs in Africa
The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) are convening a meeting of early- to mid-career African researchers, international researchers and funders at the University of Oxford.
The following GYA members will be in attendance: Adewale Adewuyi (Nigeria), GYA Co-Chair Tolu Oni (UK), Maha Nasr (Egypt), Marian Nkansah (Ghana), and Lahcen El Youssfi (Morocco). GYA Advisory Board member Kevin Marsh is organising the event.
The meeting will take place at Pembroke College from 6 to 8 August 2018 and will serve as a platform for African researchers to network, share their ideas and successes, as well as seek meaningful collaborations towards scaling their work and impact.
More information is available here.
 
Evidence and Policy summer school - let us know if you’re going to be there!
The Evidence and Policy summer school in September in Laxenburg, Austria is organised by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), in collaboration with the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) and the GYA.
Click here to check out the calendar page and let us know you’re taking part! Indeed, this applies to all key events below – follow any of the links to find out who’s taking part in the events in the calendar below!
 
6-8 August 2018 African Academy of Sciences and Africa Oxford Initiative meeting ‘Interdisciplinary research towards tackling the SDGs in Africa’
13-14 August 2018 IAP Regional Workshop on the UN SDGs – Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20-24 August 2018 AAAS-TWAS Science Diplomacy course, Trieste, Italy
5-7 September 2018 IIASA-JRC-INGSA-GYA Evidence for Policy Summer School 2018 ‘Science, Policy and Demography’, Laxenburg, Austria
10-12 September 2018 IAP Regional Workshop on the UN SDGs – Europe, Halle, Germany
19-20 September 2018 IAP Regional Workshop on the UN SDGs – Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
23-26 September 2018 GYA Executive Committee in-person meeting – Halle, Germany
25-28 September 2018 World Social Science Forum ‘Security and Equality for Sustainable Futures’, Fukuoka, Japan
7-9 October 2018 STS Forum 2018, Kyoto, Japan
14-16 October 2018 World Health Summit, Berlin, Germany
17-19 October 2018 Meeting of the Young Affiliate Members of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Fortaleza, Brazil
22-24 October 2018 CILAC, Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, Panama City, Panama
26 October 2018 European Committee of the Regions ‘Towards a society for all ages: Why and how should regional authorities combat ageism’, Brussels, Belgium
5-8 November 2018 International Data Week 2018, Gaborone, Botswana.
6-7 November 2018 Third INGSA Biennial Conference, Tokyo, Japan
12-13 March 2019 3rd Women in Science without Borders Conference, Egypt
9-11 April 2019 IAP Conference and General Assembly, South Korea
29 Apr-3 May 2019 GYA Anniversary Conference and Annual General Meeting /Alumni Reunion, Halle, Germany
29 July – 2 August 2019 4th Worldwide Meeting of Young Academies, Vietnam
 


Leave your thoughts on Upcoming Events here

 


Want to learn more about GYA activities throughout 2018 and about upcoming events? Visit us on our website.

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