John Sheil will join the Amsterdam Young Academy (AYA), an independent platform for early-career researchers across disciplines. Drawing on his experience at ARCNL, he aims to help strengthen connections between academic research, industry and society.
At ARCNL, Sheil leads the Plasma Theory and Modeling team. His research is closely connected to semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML: the team studies the fundamental properties of plasmas that produce the radiation used to print transistors on silicon wafers.
Working in this public-private partnership has shown him how fundamental research and industrial collaboration can benefit one another. Through AYA, he wants to explore how more academics can engage in valorisation: putting research knowledge to use beyond academia.
Understanding researchers’ perspectives
Sheil proposes starting with a large-scale survey to understand researchers’ views on valorisation. What do they think it involves, and what encourages or discourages them from taking part? “I want to know what they think valorisation entails, and why they would/would not be interested in pursuing valorisation activities,” he wrote in his application. Based on the findings, he would like to coordinate workshops that raise awareness of the possibilities and help researchers build connections with industry and society. He brings experience from ARCNL’s partnership with ASML, alongside the valorisation activities within VU Amsterdam’s Department of Physics.
About Amsterdam Young Academy
Founded in 2018 as an initiative of the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, AYA brings together young researchers from different disciplines to develop perspectives on science and science policy, and to strengthen the relationship between science and society in Amsterdam.
Sheil joins fellow VU physicist Laura Dreissen, who became an AYA member in 2024.