In June 2026, the Young Academy welcomed ten new members. With the 2026 cohort, the Academy expands its expertise in research fields that are crucial to addressing major societal challenges. These include the development and critical reflection of digital technologies, legal, ethical, and psychological perspectives on societal change, as well as research on sustainable energy and mobility systems, climate and environmental issues, and human behavior.
Research at the Interface of AI and Neuroscience
Among the newly elected members is Steffen Schneider. At Helmholtz Munich, he leads the Dynamical Inference Lab, where he develops artificial intelligence methods to improve our understanding of complex biological systems. His research combines machine learning, neuroscience, and statistical modelling to develop AI approaches capable of analyzing dynamic biological processes and making large, multimodal datasets accessible for scientific discovery, with applications ranging from neuroscience to biology.
Alongside his research, Schneider is also co-founder of KI macht Schule, an initiative dedicated to promoting AI literacy in schools.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Address Societal Challenges
During their five-year membership, the new members have the opportunity to initiate interdisciplinary research projects and working groups or contribute to existing activities. Key topics include climate change, artificial intelligence, and science policy, alongside fostering dialogue between science, the arts, society, and politics.
The Young Academy currently brings together 50 members from a wide range of disciplines who work collaboratively to develop new ideas and strengthen exchange between science, the arts, society, and policymaking.
The ten members of the 2026 cohort were selected by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, one of the Young Academy's supporting academies. The Leopoldina and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities alternate responsibility for selecting new members in even-numbered calendar years. In odd-numbered years, new members are elected by the members of the Young Academy themselves.
Further information on the members of the Young Academy is available at www.diejungeakademie.de/en/members.
