Nynke Dekker enters The Young Academy

Dr. Nynke Dekker has been selected by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) to enter The Young Academy (in Dutch DJA). The KNAW set up DJA to will welcome promising young scientists who are just starting out on their career and do not yet have enough research experience to be nominated for full membership of the Academy. On the basis of a public selection procedure, the Academy has chosen forty young scientists in 2004 (17 women and 23 men) from Dutch universities and research institutes who represent a wide variety of disciplines. In 2005 another 10 were selected among who Nynke Dekker.

The main objective of DJA is to give young scientists the opportunity to interact with research fields outside their own area of specialisation. The young researchers are encouraged to develop their outlook on the future of their own and related disciplines, as well as on science policy. Members of DJA will receive a yearly travel grant to attend scientific conferences or visit foreign research institutes. DJA will also hold an annual two-day interdisciplinary conference.

The Young Academy is an independent organisation with its own powers of decision. Members elect their own Board. The Board is responsible for organising activities, which will also involve non-members.

Membership is for a period of five years. Every year a group of ten new members will be selected, replacing the ten members who are leaving.