Laura Bacete Cano becomes a member of the Young Academy of Sweden

- Congratulations! You have been elected as new member to the Young Academy of Sweden. What does this mean for you?

It means a lot, both professionally and personally. I see it as a chance to work with researchers from different fields and backgrounds, and to take part in discussions that go beyond my own research. It is also a way to help shape the academic environment in Sweden and beyond.

- What motivated you to apply for the membership?

I was really drawn to how the Academy brings together researchers from different fields to work on questions that matter for science and for society. The focus on research policy, public engagement, and international collaboration felt like a good match for the kind of work I want to do alongside my research. It is quite rare to find a space where you can have those kinds of conversations across disciplines in a structured but open way.

I also noticed that there was not anyone in the Academy with a background in plant cell and molecular biology. It is a field that is key both for fundamental science and for real-world issues like sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Sweden has a lot of excellent research in this area, so it felt important to have that perspective represented too.

- What responsibilities come with your membership?

There is a strong expectation to be actively involved, which I really appreciate. In the next months, I will take part in a few in-person meetings held in different parts of Sweden. These gatherings are the heart of the Academy’s work and where many ideas and decisions take shape. One thing I really like is that new members are expected to contribute from the beginning, whether that is through participating in policy discussions, taking part in outreach, or helping develop new initiatives. It feels like a very open and hands-on environment.

For me, another important part is improving my Swedish. Even though the other members are happy to speak English when needed, Swedish is the main working language of the Academy. I am really looking forward to using the language more and getting better at it through this role. It feels like a great opportunity to learn in a supportive setting.

I think scientists have a responsibility to communicate with the public.

- Do you plan to engage with the public or policymakers through your new role?

Yes, absolutely. I think scientists have a responsibility to communicate with the public, and I have been involved in that kind of work before. But what I am especially looking forward to now is the chance to engage more directly with policymakers. That is not something that is always easy to do in everyday academic life. I am particularly interested in questions around how we support researchers, how we evaluate work, and how we build a research environment that people actually want to stay in; and also about how long-term thinking and evidence can play a stronger role in shaping decisions (for example, regarding new genomic techniques in agriculture). I also appreciate that the Academy works internationally, and I look forward to contributing to those collaborations through my own networks and experience.

- What are you most looking forward to during your time in the academy?

I’m looking forward to working with people who care about the same kinds of questions, even if they come from completely different fields. The Academy seems like a rare space where people have time and freedom to talk about how science works, how it could work better, and what role it plays in society. I am also looking forward to the in-person meetings and the chance to get to know colleagues from other disciplines. I think those conversations can lead to unexpected ideas and collaborations, which is something I really enjoy.

Laura Bacete Cano, originally from Spain, is an Assistant Professor at Umeå University and leads a research group at Umeå Plant Science Centre, which she established in 2023. Her research focuses on how plants perceive and maintain their cell walls, especially during growth, development and in response to environmental stress. After completing her PhD in 2018, she moved to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim to pursue a postdoc. Laura Bacete Cano has been awarded research funding from the Research Council of Norway and the Swedish Research Council. She is also a co-inventor on a European patent related to strategies for enhancing plant health and resilience.

Link to the official press release from the Young Academy of Sweden