Emőke Mohr, new member of the Hungarian Young Academy
The Hungarian Young Academy is an affiliated organisation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), which aims to highlight the problems of young researchers and help to find solutions. Its objectives also include promoting scientific excellence, fostering talent and disseminating scientific knowledge to the wider society, in line with the aims and mission of the MTA.
The FKA's wide-ranging activities so far are illustrated by the fact that in 2018 and 2021 its members conducted two surveys on the situation and problems of young Hungarian researchers. Besides, the FKA held science communication workshops and forums on several important topics, and in addition to knowledge transfer and knowledge acquisition, the FKA provided a direct communication channel between young researchers and the callers of research proposals, as well as between the leaders of the MTA Doctoral Council. The 7th Young Researchers' Forum took place on 10 May 2023, where international mobility grants and scholarships for young researchers were presented, followed by a public round table discussion. As with our previous events, a video of the event will soon be available on the MTA's YouTube channel.
The FKA, together with the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH), has held several information events in recent years (e.g. NKFIH-FKA OTKA Information Day 2022) and discussions were conducted with representatives of the National Talent Programme on the possibilities of funding for young talented researchers to return to work after childcare. For the third time this year, the organisation launched its independent Bolyai Mentoring Programme, and for the first time this year, it also provided mentoring for postdoctoral applications to the NKFIH.
In the spirit of cooperation and representation of young researchers between the MTA and the Hungarian Young Academy, five members of the FKA's board participate in the work of three committees in the Presidium of the Academy. In addition, our members represent young researchers in nine other committees of the MTA. From January 2021, four of our members are involved as junior co-chairs in the thematic missions of the Academia Europaea Budapest Knowledge Hub, led by László Lovász. Several members of the FKA are also active in the work of similar international organisations (Young Academy of Europe and Global Young Academy) and will be more directly involved in European science policy-making through the participation in the Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS) which was established in 2020.
Emőke Mohr can be seen in the top row, the second picture from the left.
To be eligible for membership, the candidate must be a member of the public body of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, obtained his or her first PhD degree less than 12 years ago and be under 40 in the year of becoming a member. The age limit may be extended up to 45 years by the length of the parental leave, and on application, by the length of other documented leave of absence. Membership is for 5 years, after which time the member becomes an alumnus or alumna. Each year, 12 new members are elected - representing the disciplines of Life Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences and Natural Sciences.
The list of past members of the FKA is available here and the full list of the 12 new members elected in 2023 is available here.