The Amsterdam Young Acadamy, the independent platform of young scientists from the University of Amsterdam and the Vrije Universtiteit, presents their book Fixing Academia: Reflections from a New Generations of Scholars. Fixing Academia is a timely and provocative collection of essays by ten young scholars. In a series of sharp, evidence-based, and constructive reflections on a selection of pressing themes, they diagnose some of the structural flaws in 21st-century Dutch universities. They also offer the tools for repair – tackling everything from the influence of Big Pharma on scientific integrity to the urgent need for better work-life balance for academic parents. Actionable yet visionary, this book hopes to stimulate conversations on how to “fix” academia and help universities strengthen their bonds with society.

This evening, two of the book authors will pitch what they think needs to be fixed in academia:  Gea Dreschler (writing in times of AI) and Yusuf Çelik (first-generation students). Berend van der Kolk, one of the editors, will share how the book came into being and highlight key messages from the book, and Callista Mulder, also an author of the book, will present and moderate the panel discussion.

Confirmed panelists include: Marileen Dogterom (President, KNAW), Felienne Hermans (Professor, VU Amsterdam) and Jeroen Geurts (Rector Magnificus, VU Amsterdam).