YPA members gathered for a group picture on steps on Yale's campus

YPA History

In 2014, the Yale Postdoctoral Association (YPA) was conceived/established as a platform for postdoctoral scholars across Yale Campuses to connect and engage. Founded by a group of dedicated postdocs, YPA aimed to create/foster a sense of community and belonging among its members while enhancing their overall experience at Yale University. The main focus of YPA is to organize events centered on career development, professional growth, mentorship, advocacy, and community gatherings.

In its early days, YPA consisted of only a handful of postdocs and was structured around four committees: Advocacy, Mentorship, Community & Networking, and Professional Development. Throughout the years, YPA experienced remarkable growth in both its membership and organizational structure with the creation of five new committees by 2023: Belonging, Communications, Secretaries, Symposium, and Treasury. 

YPA has embraced digital platforms like Slack and YaleConnect to encourage communication and networking among members, amplifying the association’s impact on Campus. To enhance its reach and engagement, YPA grew its online presence with Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn to facilitate communication and networking among members, amplifying the association’s impact. 

As it continues to evolve, YPA is dedicated to fostering a supportive and thriving environment for all members at Yale University. 

The YPA Chairs