The Young Minds Network brings together the best and brightest by connecting young thinkers and professionals. Are you interested in the United States, big ideas, or simply eager to meet like-minded people? Then the Young Minds network is the perfect fit for you, and there are a variety of ways to get involved.
Young Minds Ambassadors & Members
Do you bore your friends at parties with your in-depth knowledge on American politics? Can you not stop talking about that one book you read a few weeks ago? Do you stay up to date with news from the US on an obsessive level? Are you under the age of 35? Then you are the perfect candidate to join us.
We are excited to expand our community of students and young professionals. Our world knows both immense challenges and great opportunities, and the John Adams is determined to bring young minds in touch with some of the most important ideas of our time while connecting likeminded individuals with each other. Young Minds also organizes the yearly Beyond Academia essay contest (more information below).
Through the Young Minds Network, the John Adams offers a line-up of additional events involving a variety of themes and topics related to the United States as a supplement to our regular programming. These are of smaller scale and aimed at interaction and community-building.
Our members also have the opportunity to write blogs and essays, shedding light on topics and ideas that discuss the U.S. of today, the past, and the future.
Have an idea or burning desire to get a project off the ground? Take the next step and get become an ambassador, helping us plan exclusive programming and taking part in charting our course for the coming years.
As a member or an ambassador, you can join our community for only €25,- per year, receive a free ticket to all John Adams events, as well as invitations to special gatherings and social events.
Interested? Contact us via youngminds@john-adams.nl
Beyond Academia Contest
Calling all university students! The Beyond Academic contest sheds light on important topics of American concern for the general public. Students are encouraged to submit essays that are don’t require expert knowledge to read and help explain important topics and trends.
Coming Soon: Beyond Academia Contest 2026
Reflecting on 250 Years of the United States
In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary — a moment to observe the nation’s past, present, and future. To mark this occasion, the Beyond Academia Contest invites university students to share their insights on topics of American significance, bringing academic ideas to a broad public audience.
Students will be encouraged to submit essays that are accessible to general readers — essays that illuminate key issues, trends, or stories in American life, culture, history, or society. Whether historical or contemporary, participants will be invited to explore how 250 years of American history have shaped both the nation, its people, and its role in the world at large.
Full contest details — including submission guidelines, deadlines, prizes, and partner organizations — will be announced soon.
If you have any questions, please contact the John Adams Institute at youngminds@john-adams.nl.
Looking for inspiration? Read the essays of some of the previous finalists below.
2024-2025
Elisabeth Hoekstra: Sourdough Bread and A-line Dresses: How “Implicit” Tradwives Communicate Far-Right Ideologies (winner)
Emma C. Riquet: Take It Down: The Confederate Flag After the Shooting at Mother Emanuel
Kirsten Soer: Heeding the Local Women’s Warning: Expansive Subalternity in Kristiana Kahakauwila’s ‘This Is Paradise’
2023-2024
Rajae el Morabet Belhaj: Let Black be synonymous with Glory: Pan-Africanism in ‘Black is King’ (winner)
Maaike Siemes: Environmental Activism in and through Imbolo Mbue’s ‘How Beautiful We Were’
Marco Segantini: The Inextinguishable Legacy of Patrice Lumamb
