Aston University computer scientist joins first UK-wide Young Academy

The new UK Young Academy is a network of early career researchers and professionals

It has been established to tackle local and global issues

Dr Alina Patelli is a senior lecturer in computer science at Aston University.

Aston University is delighted to announce that Dr Alina Patelli, a senior lecturer in computer science in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, is among the first members of the new UK Young Academy – a network of early career researchers and professionals established to help tackle local and global issues and promote meaningful change.

Dr Patelli specialises in evolutionary computation, specifically, genetic programming and its applications in smart cities, with a focus on traffic modelling and prediction. Her interests also include autonomic, knowledge-based systems, as well as self-adaptation and self-organisation in computing.

As part of the first cohort of 67 members, announced on 10 January by UK and Ireland National Academies, Dr Patelli will have the opportunity to help shape the strategy and focus of this new organisation, based on areas that matter to them.

Along with their fellow members from across academia, charity organisations and the private sector, they will have the chance to inform local and global policy discussions, galvanising their skills, knowledge, and experience to find innovative solutions to the challenges facing societies now and in the future.

The UK Young Academy has been established as an interdisciplinary collaboration with prestigious national academies: the Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy, Learned Society of Wales, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Irish Academy, Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Royal Society. It joins the global initiative of Young Academies, with the UK Young Academy becoming the 50th to join the Young Academy movement.

Dr Alina Patelli said:

“I am anticipating the start of my service as a member of the UK Young Academy with great enthusiasm. I highly value the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the spectrum of science and governance in order to make a significant impact on the UK’s approach to tackling national and international challenges.

“The UK Young Academy is perfectly placed to substantively improve the life of human communities everywhere and I am honoured to contribute towards the achievement of that goal.”

Professor Stephen Garrett, executive dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University, said:

“I would like to congratulate Alina on being selected as one of the first members of the UK Young Academy. It is a fantastic achievement to have been selected to join this talented and diverse cohort.

“I wish her every success and look forward to seeing the fruits of her work with the Young Academy.”

The successful applicants officially took up their posts on 1 January 2023, and membership runs for five years. It is expected that the next call for applications will open in 2023.