Dr Jane Masoli, Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres and Dr Ricardo Safra de Campos. 

Trio of Exeter researchers appointed to new UK Young Academy under prestigious Royal Society

Three University of Exeter researchers are among the first bright minds to be appointed to the new UK Young Academy network under the prestigious Royal Society.

Dr Jane Masoli, Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres and Dr Ricardo Safra de Campos have all been successful in their recent applications. The UK Young Academy connects and develops talented individuals in the early years of their career from a wide range of sectors so they can collaborate to make a difference in the world. It is the first UK-wide network, bringing together researchers, innovators, clinicians, professionals, academics and entrepreneurs to tap into their collective potential and expertise to tackle important issues in society.

Dr Jane Masoli, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Exeter and Consultant Geriatrician at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s an honour to represent The Academy of Medical Sciences in this new network. I’m excited to collaborate with colleagues across different disciplines and will be advocating for the inclusion of health and social care as a key priority in the work of the UK Young Academy.”

G.J. Melendez-Torres, Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology, said: “I’m excited to join this group with a passion for impact and inclusion. While it is still in an early phase, I expect that we will create together a programme of policy and advocacy to support a fairer society for all.”

Dr Ricardo Safra de Campos, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, said: “A large elephant in the room is whether climate change will disrupt everything we know about migration. 

“Communities in the UK are under threat. For example, the village of Fairbourne, in Wales, is scheduled to be the first community in the UK to be decommissioned, thanks to climate change. 

“My membership will enable me to engage with a transdisciplinary group of peers to focus on green plans for an inclusive and mobile world; and rethink the way climate-related migration is represented in the media.”

Sallie Lamb, Faculty Head of Health and Life Sciences at Exeter, said: “I’m delighted our talented researchers have been accepted into this promising network. With their combined expertise and thirst to effect positive change in society, there is no limit to the difference they can all make.”

The UK Young Academy has been established as an interdisciplinary collaboration with prestigious national academies: the Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy, Learned Society of Wales, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Irish Academy, Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Royal Society. It joins the global initiative of Young Academies, with the UK Young Academy becoming the 50th to join the Young Academy movement.

Find out more about the UK Young Academy here: https://ukyoungacademy.org/

Date: 10 January 2023