At the general meeting of the Association of Young Scientists and Specialists of JINR, Chairman of the AYSS Council, a junior researcher of the Dzhelepov Laboratory of Nuclear Problems Vladislav Rozhkov reported on the work done. He also presented the plans for this year. To date, AYSS has more than 1,000 young employees. The Association holds regular scientific and social events. Among the immediate tasks is the organization of a new School on Accelerator Physics.

“Now the COVID situation has improved, and we have started to organize more in-person events, returning to the previous successful formats and face-to-face meetings,” Vladislav Rozhkov said. Last year, AYSS held not only its traditional events like the Lipnya School, the AYSS and Alushta Conferences, but also organized a number of new activities. A new project was launched, AYSS seminars at the Scientists’ Club, the September Back to Office picnic took place again, the JINR Cinema Club resumed its work. The meetings of the German Speaking Club have started, the Club of JINR Artists has opened. The Association supports the Kendo Club and the Dance Club “Towards each other”. The AYSS cooperates with youth councils and other organizations. Thus, “Subatomic Saturdays” are held jointly with SINP MSU, within which members of the AYSS conduct guided tours and read popular science lectures for SINP MSU students.

In the new year, in addition to traditional events, AYSS JINR plans to organize the first School on Accelerator Physics and hopes to make it regular. Another task in 2023 will be the resumption of National Groups evenings, which will help young people from the JINR Member States adapt, get to know each other and different cultures and traditions more closely. The integration of employees from Member States was the subject of discussion at the meeting. Thus, the issue of using only the Russian language at the JINR infrastructure facilities, e.g. in canteens and cafés, was raised. Participants highlighted that the use of English at the Institute’s events is not purely necessary but useful as well. The idea was put forward to organize special classes for employees from the Member States to introduce them into the language and culture of the Joint Institute’s location country.

Traditionally, a remarkable aspect of the AYSS activities is science popularisation. Members of the Association take part in the NAUKA0+, Geek Picnic festivals, and other popular science events. AYSS volunteers have already been recruited to participate in the “105 Element” Workshop.

The Association provides an opportunity for centralised submission of applications for external competitions. This year, 15 young JINR employees are participating in the competition for housing certificates of the Moscow Region, 11 people have applied for the awards of the Governor of the Moscow Region. Financial assistance is provided to the JINR youth through AYSS grants, scholarships of the laboratories, JINR prizes for young scientists and specialists, and other instruments of material support of employees.

AYSS strongly endorses youth initiatives. In 2022, public bicycles were purchased at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics with the help of AYSS. It is planned that other laboratories will join this initiative in 2023. In addition to the purchase of bicycles, special service stations for them will appear at both JINR technical sites this year. On the initiative of AYSS, a pedestrian road will be created at the DLNP site.

To date, the JINR AYSS unites more than 1,000 young employees of the Institute under the age of 36. One of the goals for 2022 was to improve the flow of information about the news and events of the Association, which was achieved. About 3,300 people follow social media, newsletters, and other communication channels of AYSS.

The elections for the position of the Chairman of the JINR AYSS Council for 2023-2024 will be held on 29 – 30 March.