November 4th, ten promising young academics from Amsterdam have been inaugurated as new members of the Amsterdam Young Academy (AYA): the interdisciplinary network of young scholars from VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA).
Founded in 2018 by Amsterdam-based members of De Jonge Akademie, AYA brings together talented researchers whose work transcends disciplinary boundaries. The network fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, social dialogue, and contributes to shaping research policy.
This year’s selection stood out for a remarkable focus: many of the new members are deeply committed to creating impact and reflecting on the role of universities and science in society. Beyond their research excellence, they bring a strong sense of responsibility and a clear vision of what still needs to be done—how academia can be inclusive, resilient, and engaged in a world where its position is increasingly questioned.
The ten new members of 2025 are:
VU Amsterdam
- Mirja Schoderer – Faculty of Science; Institute for Environmental Studies
- Gabriel Schwake – Faculty of Social and Humanities Sciences; Art, Culture, History and Antiquity
- Laura Keesman – Faculty of Social and Humanities Sciences; Sociology
- Bahija Aarrass – Faculty of Law; Constitutional and Administrative Law
- Katie Stephenson – School of Business and Economics; Management and Organization
- Malte Max – School of Business and Economics; Accounting
UvA
- Lynn Hillary – Faculty of Law; Constitutional and Administrative Law
- Laura Dupin – Faculty of Economics and Business; Innovation, Economics and Business
- Anouk van Dijk – Faculty of Society & Behavior; Child Development and Education
- Jonas Haslbeck – Faculty of Society & Behavior; Psychology
At a time when academia is under increasing pressure – from budget cuts to structural challenges – the mandate of these new members becomes all the more significant. Their commitment to impact and their determination to rethink the role of science in society will help shape conversations that matter, both within academia and far beyond.
We extend a warm welcome to the new members and wish them the best of luck the coming four years!