- Dr Juan Escrig participated in the Fifth International Conference for Young Scientists and the Annual General Meeting of the Global Young Academy, held between May 25thand 29th, in Montebello, Canada. On the occasion, professor Escrig encouraged his peers to use all available means to disseminate their work among general public and other scientists. This conference gathers scientists from around the world, who are selected for the excellence of their science and their commitment to service. Currently, it has 200 members from 58 countries.
One of the goals of the Fifth International Conference for Young Scientists and the Annual General Meeting of the Global Young Academy (GYA), held between May 25th and 29th, in Montebello (Canada), was to provide an opportunity for reducing the science gap between developed and developing countries.
The activity gathers scientists from around the world, who are selected for their excellence demonstrated by their scientific achievements in their fields and their commitment to service. Currently, it has 200 members from 58 countries, representing the main regions of the planet.
GYA aims to empower and mobilize young scientists to address the principal issues they may face at their early careers. The idea is to reduce the science gap between developed and developing countries by connecting young scientists from different countries.
Besides, the organization maintains active links with international science organizations including the UN Science Advisory Board, the Global Network of Science Academies, the Global Research Council and the International Council for Science.
It publishes statements on international science policy and the research environment, what is important information for early-career researchers.
Universidad de Santiago
Universidad de Santiago was represented by Dr Juan Escrig, researcher at the Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA, in Spanish), at the Department of Physics.
According to Dr Escrig, the participants in the activity discussed that “a key challenge for researchers is the limited access to research software or scientific equipment due to the lack of funding for acquiring licences and/or new equipment.”
“This jeopardizes the quality of the research work, causes the use of pirated software and, in extreme cases, brain drain, and it is closely related to another problem: the need to improve the research environment in the institutions, something that would allow young scientists to fully develop their potential,” he adds.
He thinks that many women have not received yet the support that they require to succeed in their scientific careers.
And he also thinks that in general, institutions do not compensate the time that young scientists devote to promoting science.
Some guidance
Professor Escrig gives some guidance for young scientists at Universidad de Santiago, so that they contribute to the country development.
“The idea is that they participate in scientific education and in outreach activities at schools and universities of the country, because the benefits of science cannot be disseminated without the participation of and the communication among scientists, citizens, politicians and the media,” he says.
“Young scientists at the University should organize themselves, for example, through the INDI, the Group of Researchers for Development and Interdisciplinarity of Universidad de Santiago, because in this way, they will be in a unique position to take on roles in providing scientific advice for the country,” he adds.
“INDI scientists stand out not only for their excellent research work, but also for their commitment to bring together scientists and politicians to face the problems of the country. Also, I think that we require a mentoring network for young women scientists,” he concluded.
Translated by Marcela Contreras
