Tolu Oni to lead Global Young Academy

Associate Professor Tolullah Oni, in UCT’s School of Public Health and Family Medicine, has been elected to jointly lead the Global Young Academy (GYA) as co-chair for 2017/18. She was elected alongside Dr Moritz Riede of Oxford University.

The GYA comprises 200 early career researchers from nearly 60 countries who are passionate about the role of science in creating a better world. Its activities focus on science and policy, education and outreach, and strengthening international research networks.

In her role as co-chair, Oni will represent the GYA worldwide and engage with a range of influential leaders and organisations, including presidents of universities and science academies, government ministers and funding bodies and foundations.

“It’s a real honour and privilege to jointly lead the GYA, the voice of early and mid-career scientists across the world. As a public health physician scientist, I particularly look forward to demonstrating that engaging beyond academia is an essential part of being an effective scientist in an increasingly complex world.”

In addition to her work in the GYA, Oni is a fellow of the Next Einstein Forum – a platform that connects science, society and policy in Africa and the rest of the world, with the goal of leveraging science for human development.