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This is the 2023 GYA AGM and Conference programme. Changes can still occur so we suggest to check back often.
The sessions are colour coded. The blue background indicates an internal session, for GYA members (and alumni) only. The grey sessions are generally off-topic, free or break-time. The purple ones indicate public Conference sessions, open to all registered participants.
Much like in previous years, we will provide a Google calendar option (upcoming) to import all the sessions into your phone, tablet or computer. Expect this in early April 2023.
Registration
GYA Members and Alumni register here :
Invited guests, please use this link to register:
Interactive 2023 GYA AGM and conference programme
Science Leadership Workshop for New Members
The 2-day workshop, scheduled for 4 – 5 June 2023, in Kigali, Rwanda, aims to give new GYA members space to reflect together on how to be leaders in diverse contexts: in their research contexts, in the institutions and communities where they live and work, and in the GYA. The workshop will cover topics like effective and creative problem solving, collective leadership tools, personality differences and preferences in teams and cultural dexterity. It will give new GYA members confidence as they begin their tenure with the GYA and attend their first Annual General Meeting.
Expected outcomes of the workshop
- Participants learn and practice specific collaborative tools (for reframing problems, idea generation and development, productive evaluation, etc.).
- Raised awareness about inclusive communication and active listening.
- New Members develop confidence to inject themselves productively into the meetings and to optimize their engagement and contribution to the GYA, at the AGM and throughout their tenure in the GYA.
Background
The GYA helps young scientists develop competency in how they talk about their science, conduct discourse across disciplines, develop networks and engage the public with science. These soft skills, however, aren’t necessarily part of a research career.
To address this gap, GYA members worked together with Inclusive Innovation to build the Africa Science Leadership Program (ASLP) in 2015. The programme aims to help early-career researchers in Africa engage more effectively across disciplines, and up and down the hierarchy of their universities and academies. Since the start of the Africa SLP, the ASEAN SLP, a new LAC-SLP and numerous spin-off science leadership workshops have been organised by GYA members.
The 2-day new member Science Leadership Workshop gives the newest cohort of GYA members a chance to build rapport prior to the meeting, and also exposes them to tools that enable them to optimize their experience with other GYA members at the AGM and beyond. This helps the GYA to create an even more collaborative culture within the GYA, and a next generation of scientists who approach problems and leadership creatively and collaboratively.
Find out more about the GYA and Science Leadership for early-career researchers in these testimonies from ECRs and facilitators here: Find out more about Science Leadership for early-career researchers – YouTube
Approach & Methodology
This collaborative skill building workshop is designed and facilitated by Inclusive Innovation, which has been partnering with the Africa SLP and with the GYA and other regional SLPs since 2015. The facilitation team approaches every meeting or workshop as an opportunity to solve problems, using activities that invite participants to explore a challenge and define it, collectively, before jumping to premature conclusions. In almost every case, the workshop or meeting is designed to create or reinforce a shared understanding of the topic at hand and to inspire higher commitment to taking action as a result of having participated in the event.
The methods include elements from a number of creative processes. At the core is Creative Problem Solving (CPS); the oldest and most researched deliberate creativity methodology, which is flexible, and resilient, in a wide range of situations. It offers a non-prescriptive approach to problem solving. Inclusive Innovation also employs the tools and techniques of Design Thinking and Appreciative Inquiry.
Arrival and Registration GYA members
Science Leadership Workshop for New Members
The 2-day workshop, scheduled for 4 – 5 June 2023, in Kigali, Rwanda, aims to give new GYA members space to reflect together on how to be leaders in diverse contexts: in their research contexts, in the institutions and communities where they live and work, and in the GYA. The workshop will cover topics like effective and creative problem solving, collective leadership tools, personality differences and preferences in teams and cultural dexterity. It will give new GYA members confidence as they begin their tenure with the GYA and attend their first Annual General Meeting.
Expected outcomes of the workshop
- Participants learn and practice specific collaborative tools (for reframing problems, idea generation and development, productive evaluation, etc.).
- Raised awareness about inclusive communication and active listening.
- New Members develop confidence to inject themselves productively into the meetings and to optimize their engagement and contribution to the GYA, at the AGM and throughout their tenure in the GYA.
Background
The GYA helps young scientists develop competency in how they talk about their science, conduct discourse across disciplines, develop networks and engage the public with science. These soft skills, however, aren’t necessarily part of a research career.
To address this gap, GYA members worked together with Inclusive Innovation to build the Africa Science Leadership Program (ASLP) in 2015. The programme aims to help early-career researchers in Africa engage more effectively across disciplines, and up and down the hierarchy of their universities and academies. Since the start of the Africa SLP, the ASEAN SLP, a new LAC-SLP and numerous spin-off science leadership workshops have been organised by GYA members.
The 2-day new member Science Leadership Workshop gives the newest cohort of GYA members a chance to build rapport prior to the meeting, and also exposes them to tools that enable them to optimize their experience with other GYA members at the AGM and beyond. This helps the GYA to create an even more collaborative culture within the GYA, and a next generation of scientists who approach problems and leadership creatively and collaboratively.
Find out more about the GYA and Science Leadership for early-career researchers in these testimonies from ECRs and facilitators here: Find out more about Science Leadership for early-career researchers – YouTube
Approach & Methodology
This collaborative skill building workshop is designed and facilitated by Inclusive Innovation, which has been partnering with the Africa SLP and with the GYA and other regional SLPs since 2015. The facilitation team approaches every meeting or workshop as an opportunity to solve problems, using activities that invite participants to explore a challenge and define it, collectively, before jumping to premature conclusions. In almost every case, the workshop or meeting is designed to create or reinforce a shared understanding of the topic at hand and to inspire higher commitment to taking action as a result of having participated in the event.
The methods include elements from a number of creative processes. At the core is Creative Problem Solving (CPS); the oldest and most researched deliberate creativity methodology, which is flexible, and resilient, in a wide range of situations. It offers a non-prescriptive approach to problem solving. Inclusive Innovation also employs the tools and techniques of Design Thinking and Appreciative Inquiry.
EC In-Person Meeting
Bioinformatics Workshop by Bio2Bio WG
This workshop, for 5-20 early-career researchers, is designed to introduce participants to computational tools that enable a better and more reliable design of synthetic biology projects by improving the visualisation of DNA sequences and simulating wet-lab workflows related to cloning, DNA digestion, PCR and protein expression. Participants of the workshop will be introduced to benchling, an on-line, free (for academic research) and user-friendly platform that can be accessed by any student or researcher with a University email account. This platform also enables collaboration between users by allowing the creation and sharing of common projects, files and libraries.
For more information, see here a report of a similar workshop held in 2022.
Science Education for Youth Workshop
This workshop, for 20-30 early-career researchers, will address the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education for All – discussing existing efforts to increase and improve education options around the world. In addition, it will provide space for participants to summarize their own research topics and contribute to the booklet “Inspiring Science Topics for Youth”. See the full description here.
Dinner and Networking
Buddy Breakfast
Coffee Break
Official AGM & Conference Opening
Welcome
Introduction of GYA vision and activities
GYA Co-Chair Prosper Ngabonziza (Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University, USA)
GYA Co-Chair Priscilla Kolibea Mante (Senior Lecturer, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana)
Inauguration of New GYA Members
Welcome – introduction to Research and Scientific Activities in Rwanda
Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda Minister of Education (invited)
Keynote speech
Paul Kagame, HE President of the Republic of Rwanda (invited)
Plenary Panel I – Vaccine production in low- and middle-income countries
Panel Description
Vaccine inequality costs lives and unmasks a long-standing problem: that some regions of the world are vulnerable and rely on others for life-saving science and technology. In Africa alone, a continent of 54 independent countries, 99% of vaccines are imported. The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired commitment to progress; the Africa CDC aims for Africa to manufacture 60% of vaccines needed on the continent by 2040. Challenges include cost and capacity of vaccine research and development, vaccine market fragmentation, and need for robust regulatory authorities. With the increasing risk of another pandemic occurring on a similar scale as COVID-19 on the horizon, prioritizing vaccine development and production in low- and middle-income countries is crucial to pandemic preparedness and public health. This panel will address national and international efforts and barriers to vaccine production in LMICs as well as ethical considerations.
Speakers
- Video greeting from Tedros Ghebreyesus (Director General, World Health Organisation)
- Agnès Binagwaho (Vice-Chancellor Emeritus of Global Health Equity University, Rwanda)
- Goran Bandov (Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy, University of Zagreb, Croatia)
Moderators
- Luciana Balboa (GYA Member; Associate Researcher, CONICET, Argentina)
- Shymaa Enany (GYA Member; Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Suez Canal University, Egypt)
Lunch
Plenary Panel II – Technological innovations for solving global challenges: The Role of Young Academies
Panel Description
Technology ignites rapid transformation, which can be both a problem and a solution with respect to global challenges such as climate change, public health and biodiversity loss. Therefore continuing innovation and well-adapted use of technology are key to working towards solutions. Young scientists and researchers stand at the forefront of new and innovative technological research and development. Convened together in young academies, the voice of young researchers plays a key role in engaging communities to understand and support innovation, research and new technologies. This panel will focus on the actual and potential role of young academics in the drive towards sustainable technological applications to address global challenges.
Speakers
- Romain Murenzi (Executive Director of the World Academy of Sciences)
- Mahouton Hounkonnou (President of the Network of African Science Academies)
- Masresha Fetene (Co-Chair, InterAcademies Partnership)
- Priscilla Kolibea Mante (Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy)
- Eva Liliana Ujeneza (Co-Chair of the Rwanda Young Academy of Sciences)
- Chandra Shekhar Sharma (GYA Member; past Chairperson of the Indian National Young Academy of Sciences)
Moderators
- Lahcen El Youssfi (GYA Member; Professor of Agro-biology and Natural Resources Management, Ibno Toffail University, Morocco)
- Ramia Al Bakain (GYA Member; Professor of Analytical, Bioanalytical and Environmental Chemistry, University of Jordan)
Opening of GYA Activities Fair – Working Groups, Incubator Groups, Projects, Member Committees
Open networking / coffee
GYA Activity Groups & WG Time
To be added
Networking Dinner
GYA Activity Groups & WG Time
To be added
GYA Activity Groups & WG Breakfast and Working Time
During this time internal meetings can take place, e.g. btw 8:00 – 9:00 or 9:00-10:00.
Panel III – A global perspective towards technological innovations: Think globally but tackle local challenges?
Panel Description
Ecological laws indicate that everything is interconnected. Today, it is especially difficult to isolate environmental challenges from global challenges, yet existing interlinkages are not fully appreciated even in scientific and public circles. For instance, global climate change is linked to deforestation and industrialization in some parts of the world, and this challenge affects industrialized countries with high greenhouse gas emissions differently than it affects resource-poor dependent communities. Addressing global challenges requires that at multiple scales, interventions should deal with the interconnectedness of the earth’s subsystems as well as human behaviour, societal and cultural conditions. How can technology and innovation support solutions starting at the local level, but with a global view?
Speakers
- Hon. Paula Ingabire (Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda)
- Wilfred Ndifon (Chief Scientific Officer, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Rwanda)
- Neil Guerrero Gonzales (GYA Member; Vice Chancellor, Universidad Nacional de Colombia)
- Sylvie Mucyo (Vice Chancellor, Rwanda Polytechnic)
Moderators
- Natalia Kucirkova (GYA Member; Professor of Early Childhood and Development, University of Stavanger, Norway)
- Jude Kimengsi (GYA Member; Researcher at Faculty of Environmental Sciences, TU Dresden, Germany)
Panel IV – A global perspective towards technological innovations: Engaging youth for addressing challenges of humanity
Panel Description
Since the turn of the century, technological progress has been a key driver of improvements in incomes and standard of living: Advances in areas as diverse as artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, autonomous systems, genetic engineering, pharmacogenomics, and renewable energy have the potential to significantly address societal needs and challenges in every country, regardless of development level. Undeniably, the innovative potential of youth, combined with the power of technology, is already proving to be crucial in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Today, young people are actively contributing to the creation of new jobs, economic empowerment of vulnerable groups, the promotion of better health systems, addressing climate change and access to inclusive and quality education. Innovative companies like Zipline (drones supporting health Science in remote locations), TYKN (a digital identity management system) RecLeb (Recycle the Smart Way) are just few examples that is impacting humanity positively. However, substantial numbers of youth in low-income countries lack digital or technology access; just one of the challenges to engaging the world’s youth in science and technology. This panel will address challenges, the role of universities, young scientists and academies in developing sustainable solutions.
Speakers
- Neil Geoffrey Turok (Founder of African Institute for Mathematical Sciences)
- Flávia Ferreira Pires (GYA Member; Professor of Anthropology at Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil)
- Gaspard Twagirayezu (Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, Rwanda)
- Mary Kerubo Nyasimi (UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Kenya)
Moderators
- Alma Cristal Hernandez Mondragon (GYA Member; Visiting Professor, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico)
- Daisy Chioma Onyige (GYA Member; Professor of Sociology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria)
Break
Member Lightning Talks
A valued part of the Annual General Meeting and Conference programme is to hear from GYA members around the world about their field of expertise. Lightning Talks showcase the diverse research interests within the GYA membership, making space for individuals to communicate to each other about their research and work.
We encourage all interested GYA Members and Alumni to submit an abstract and give a Lightning Talk!
Lunch
Visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and Short Tour of Kigali
EC Pitches
GYA voting members only
Gala Dinner with all GYA members, guests and sponsors
Grand gala dinner evening of the 2023 GYA AGM and conference
Breakfast
Scientific Publishing: A global perspective from early-career researchers on open access dissemination of scientific discovery & data sharing
Workshop Description
This workshop will present a global perspective on open publishing and will include presentations by leaders in the open access movement. Open access publishing describes practices through which research products are made freely available online. For early career researchers, building a strong reputation in research and sharing and disseminating research findings to a wide audience can be challenging. In principle, open access could help to build trust in science and promote equitable and inclusive science by making research more accessible to both researchers and the public. However, different regions of the world have varied in their approaches to shifting the cost of access to scientific literature from the reader to scientists, research institutions, or national governments. These approaches have different implications for reader access, researcher visibility, and financial sustainability.
The workshop will consist of two panel sessions that address the current state of open access publishing and aims to empower a diverse community of early career researchers to shape the future of open access.
Speakers
- Eugène Mutimura (Executive Secretary of Rwanda’s National Council for Science and Technology)
- Magdalena Skipper (Editor-in-Chief, Nature)
Moderators
- From GYA Open Science Working Group
Science Advice – Introductory Workshop
Panel Description
COVID-19, climate change, and economic development are just a few examples of complex national, regional and transnational challenges facing policymakers and the world community in both developing and developed countries. Effective strategies to address these pressing issues increasingly require detailed technical knowledge as well as bringing together experts from multiple disciplines with the institutional, political and economic constraints that policymakers face. Science Advice, also referred to as Scientific Policy Advice, describes the processes, mechanisms and best practices of interactions between researchers and policymakers to support and facilitate informed policy-making. While this requires diverse expertise and input, young voices are typically underrepresented in science advice and their barriers to entry seem high. This workshop focuses on raising awareness about science advice by providing an overview of important underlying concepts and issues of “scientific policy advice” and offering a forum for exchange, which will be facilitated by external experts as well as GYA members.
Speakers
- David Mair (Head of Unit, Joint Research Center, European Comission)
- Markus Prutsch (Principal Researcher and Administrator, Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union, European Parliament)
Representative of INGSA Africa (TBC)
Moderators
- Laura Zimmermann (University of Georgia, USA; GYA Science Advice Working Group Co-Lead)
Closing – International Conference of Young Scientists
To be added
Lunch
GYA General Assembly Meeting
To be added
General Assembly Photo
Coffee Break
GYA Activity Groups & WG Time
EC Elections
Networking Dinner
Breakfast
Highlights and achievements from selected GYA Activities Groups
Coffee Break
GYA General Assembly Meeting
Lunch
EC-EC business transition meeting and new EC Photos
Coffee Break
GYA Activity Groups & WG Time
Working Group Time
WG Workshops to be held during this slot:
“Pandemic Preparedness” (WG Global Health, Amarjagal Dagvadorj)
“Research Assessment” (WGs Scientific Excellence with Trust in Science, Sibel Eker, Leila Niamir)