Amsterdam Young Academy (AYA) is an independent platform where talented young scientists from different disciplines meet to develop views on science, scientific policy and how to build bridges between science and society in Amsterdam. Amsterdam Young Academy is an initiative of the University of Amsterdam and the Vrije Universtiteit and was officially launched on November 6th, 2018.

Sjoerd Repping, together with co-initiators Kristine Steenbergh, Jeroen de Ridder, Hilde Geurts and Rens Vliegenthart, welcomed the new founding members comprising excellent early career scholars from four institutions: ACTA, Amsterdam UMC, UvA and the VU. With 30 members AYA is the largest local young academy in the Netherlands.

The (former) rectores magnifici of the UvA and the VU were present, sharing their inspiring perspectives on and hopes for AYA. Ever since, both Professor Dr. Karen Maex and Professor Dr. Vinod Subramaniam kept a keen eye on our development and they welcomed our input, as well as that we have welcomed theirs.