Dr Benstead said of her appointment: “It’s great to be part of this incredible community that’s committed to addressing societal and global challenges, including amplifying unheard and underrepresented voices. I had the chance to meet other members this week and came away inspired by the diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”
The new members of the Young Academy have been selected for their track records of excellence in their respective fields, from global fashion supply chains and AI in drug discovery to paediatrics and infectious diseases.
This 2026 cohort includes seven members from the arts, humanities, and social sciences, increasing their representation to a third of total membership. A further 18 per cent of new members bring backgrounds in business, the public sector, and communications.
On Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th March Amy attended the New Member’s Induction and All Member’s Meeting at the Royal Academy of Engineering and The Royal Society, their first opportunity to connect and exchange aspirations.
The new members took up their posts on Monday 23 March 2026, with membership running for five years.
Linda Oyama, representative of the UK Young Academy Executive Group said: “When we set out the UK Young Academy’s 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, one of our core missions was to convene diverse voices to share ideas and improve decision-making, and to develop, connect, and mobilise early-career talent.”
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