Two Queen¡¯s academics selected as members of the UK Young Academy
Two academics from Queen¡¯s University have been selected as members of the UK Young Academy.
The Academy is an interdisciplinary organisation of UK-based early-career researchers, innovators and professionals from across society who share a passion to improve the world.
The Queen’s academics are Dr Neil Robinson from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Dr Emma Humphries from the School of Arts, English and Languages.
A total of 22 new members have been selected and they will join 131 emerging leaders already in its ranks. The new members take up their posts on Monday 23 March 2026, and membership runs for five years.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Neil Robinson said: "I’m really delighted to be joining the UK Young Academy for the next five years. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with early-career leaders from across disciplines to help tackle some of the major challenges facing society.
"I’m particularly excited about contributing to discussions around energy, decarbonisation and how research can better inform policy and public understanding - topics which are more important now than ever!"
He added: "Being based in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, it’s also really important to me to ensure Northern Ireland representation in these national research and policy conversations. I hope to bring perspectives from our region into the Academy’s work and build new collaborations across the UK."
Dr Emma Humphries, Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow from the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen's said: "I’m delighted to be joining the UK Young Academy and very much looking forward to working with talented people from across disciplines and industries on projects that make a real difference."
Congratulating the Queen’s academics, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Miles said: "It is fantastic to see two inspiring researchers from Queen’s University selected as members of the UK Young Academy.
"Researchers and innovators play a vital role in developing cutting-edge research and this helps to shape a better world for all of society, both at home and further afield. I look forward to seeing the academics flourish as members of the Academy."
Dr Linda Oyama, representative of the UK Young Academy Executive Group said: "When we set out the UK Young Academy's 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, one of our core missions was to convene diverse voices to share ideas and improve decision-making, and to develop, connect, and mobilise early-career talent.
"This year's cohort sees the highest proportion of new members coming from non-academic settings of any UK Young Academy cohort so far. Continuing to bring together members from diverse backgrounds will ensure we embed interdisciplinarity across all our work and will be invaluable as we deepen engagement with non-academic sectors particularly.
"We also recognise that meaningful careers also often unfold through unexpected twists and turns, and we continue to celebrate non-linear career paths with this new cohort."
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Media inquiries to Emma Gallagher e.gallagher@qub.ac.uk