The Radboud Young Academy (RYA) is a think thank of young ambitious staff, working in different positions and representing all faculties. At their start within the RYA members are required to have obtained a PhD minimally 2 years and maximally 10 years ago, but do not need to hold a research position. This makes RYA unique among university young academies in the Netherlands. A membership takes four years and is open to everyone who is strongly motivated to develop their academic field and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and to contribute to the academic culture of the Radboud University, Radboudumc and beyond. RYA yearly publishes a call to apply for RYA membership on this page.
It's their mission to actively seek interdisciplinary collaboration inside and outside of the RYA and work towards establishing themselves as new leaders in their discipline. Aiming to improve academic culture, the RYA participates in debates on education, science, societal impact and leadership. It gives (un)solicited advice to the executive board of the Radboud University and Radboudumc, board of deans and university committees. The RYA is part of a national network of young academies and collaborates closely with the The Young Academy.
RYA members regularly meet each other during general assembly meetings and monthly network lunches. They share experiences related to their daily work and policies and practices within their own faculties and institutes. These discussions give them new possibilities for interdisciplinary collaborations and a broader view on the university. RYA members organised themselves in several project teams which meet every (few) months. During these meetings members develop several initiatives and set their priorities. Several times a year RYA members meet Executive Board members and Faculty Board members to discuss RYA advices and ideas. RYA is leaded by co-chairs Eliana Vassena and Femke Bekius.
Read more about the activities of RYA in the most recent annual report.
The Executive Board highly values the existence of the Radboud Young Academy (RYA). Membership offers members a unique opportunity to develop themselves broadly and further improve their leadership skills. The Executive Board appreciates the important contribution of RYA members in the debate on various aspects of academic culture, such as open science, recognition & rewards, social safety and internationalisation. RYA serves as a role model within the university in the field of interdisciplinary collaboration. In one of their research projects, for example, the members identify the enablers and barriers of interfaculty collaborations. They demonstrate what is needed for the development of interdisciplinary research and education. This research project provides valuable insights for administrators, researchers and teachers and is therefore of great importance to our university. As rector, I greatly appreciate the commitment of RYA members.
Rector Magnificus,
Prof. José Sanders
Go to: Interdisciplinarity • Academic culture • Recognition & Rewards • Members
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This team aims to contribute to more social safety and improvement of diversity and inclusion. Members of this team have discussions with for example the diversity officer, ombudsperson and confidential advisors of the university. They team is involved in the Prevent, Care, Cure project and joined the university-wide discussion about Social Safety prior to the start of this project.