The RSE Young Academy of Scotland → The Vision

The Vision

The economic, social and cultural vitality of any country relies heavily upon stimulating and attracting engagement of the talented and creative members of the rising generation to refresh and reinvigorate its technical excellence and cultural and political energy. They are crucial to a country’s capacity to take bold, imaginative and principled action in the face of challenging future perspectives. It is for this reason that the Royal Society of Edinburgh is creating a Young Academy of Scotland drawn from the younger generation of researchers, scholars, business people and professionals who will provide the talent and future leadership that the country needs. The Academy will present an opportunity for this talented group to interact across disciplines and occupations and become a more integrated part of the community of decision makers, opinion formers, funding bodies, national institutions, the public and the media within Scotland, the UK and internationally.

The Academy will be part of a growing movement by national academies across Europe to establish Young Academies and it will be the first in the UK. As Scotland’s national academy, the RSE can offer unique provision for its Young Academy with:

-	the opportunity to provide inputs that will enrich opinion forming and decision making across a broad intellectual latitude;
-	support from a large range of recognised experts in Scotland through its Fellowship;
-	established channels to provide highly respected independent advice to Government;
-	direct links with sister academies throughout Europe and elsewhere.

The Academy will set its own agenda and determine its own processes. It will be supported by the resources of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in creating opportunities such as those highlighted above.

In particular it will:

a)	Create a strong voice for younger researchers and professionals to address important issues both in their own specialist areas and in matters of more general concern - a voice that is helped to resonate in places where it might have influence.
b)	Operate as a discussion forum that is primarily directed towards having a significant influence on circumstances and strategies that are important for them in the domains within which they work, such as the priorities of the research councils, the career opportunities for young researchers and professionals etc.