The Young Scientists Seminar (SJC) aims to encourage young scientists of exceptional merit, chosen from various areas of knowledge, to join the Lisbon Academy of Sciences.
The SJC was created by the Lisbon Academy of Sciences in 2010 (initially within the scope of the Institute of Advanced Studies of the Academy), with the purpose of boosting its activity within society and, more specifically, of connecting the youngest members of the scientific community to the Academy, as has been happening in other European countries.
The first initiative of this type came from Germany, which created the ‘Junge Akademie’ in 2000, associated with the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the German Academy of Natural Sciences Leopoldina.
Nowadays, with the rapid progress of science, it is unanimously recognized that the Academies must broaden their horizons to the younger scientific community, allowing young talents to participate earlier in the scientific activities of the Academies.
The SJC comprises ten young scientists from the fields of Science and ten from the Humanities and operates in three-year cycles. The selection (and invitation) of Young Scientists to join the SJC is made by the Seminar’s Steering Committee, after consultation with the Members of the Academy and the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, in accordance with the regulations in force.
Young Scientists, aged between 30 and 40, must have an academic and professional curriculum of the highest distinction, preferably with international recognition.
The SJC is encouraged to develop activities of a transdisciplinary nature and of social relevance, producing documents that can be used by science policy makers and society in general.
