Six Queen’s University academics selected as members of the Young Academy Ireland
Six academics from Queen’s University Belfast have been selected to form part of the Young Academy Ireland – an all-island network of 40 early career researchers and innovators.
It is the first group ever announced for the Academy. The academics from Queen’s are:
Dr Síobhra Aiken
Lecturer, Roinn na Gaeilge agus an Léinn Cheiltigh
(Department of Irish and Celtic Studies)
Dr Connor Bamford
Lecturer and Virologist
School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security
Dr Ross Cuthbert
Biologist, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow
Dr Alison Garden
Literary critic and cultural historian
UKRI Future Leader Fellow
Dr Patrick Gleeson
Senior Lecturer in Archaeology
Dr Dermot Green
Reader in Physics
The YAI was established to promote greater engagement and opportunities for early career researchers and innovators (ECRIs), providing support for leadership roles, contributing to equality, diversity and inclusion, and developing networks and skills.
In addition, Young Academy members are encouraged to utilise their expertise and potential to tackle important issues and challenges in society and promote meaningful change.
The YAI consists of forty members from Ireland and Northern Ireland and members were selected after a competitive recruitment process launched by the Royal Irish Academy last year.
The successful candidates include researchers, academics, scientists, innovators, clinicians, economists, and professionals who have each made a significant contribution to their field and beyond their individual disciplines.
Members represent a multi-disciplinary platform from the Life Sciences, Physical, Engineering, and Computer Sciences, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Business and Technology.
Commenting on the announcement, Queen’s University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “It is fantastic to see such an inspiring group of researchers from Queen’s University selected as members of the Young Academy Ireland.
"Early career researchers and innovators play a vital role in developing cutting-edge research and this helps to shape a better world for all of society, both at home and further afield. I look forward to seeing the academics flourish as members of the Academy.”