90 scientists gathered for the first physical eLTER consortia meeting

90 researchers from 26 countries, part of the eLTER PPP and eLTER PLUS projects, gathered in Mallorca from 16 to 20 May 2022 for the first ever consortia physical meeting.

“This meeting was much needed and delayed with at least a year”, said Prof. Jaana Back, project co-coordinator, “Unfortunately, due to the pandemic measures, it was impossible to happen earlier”, added Dr. Michael Mirtl, eLTER co-coordinator.

Indeed, the 5-day meeting was packed with sessions and discussions on a variety of important topics for the future research infrastructure: data workflows, management of sites and platforms, human resources sustainability, jobs and research opportunities, active cooperation and exchange of experience with other RIs in the struggle with the Grand Societal Challenges.

Among the highlights were the session on "Enhancing eLTER's relevance to EU environmental policy" and the scientific poster exhibition showcasing the most important work being done by work packages. Furthermore, a half day was dedicated on early career members (ECMs), their place in eLTER, job/training/research needs and ways of engaging them. The session was conducted in the form of a world café with six tables on:

- improving communication;

- career tracks;

- tutoring ECMs;

- producing high-impact publications;

- new research questions that can be answered with eLTER;

- increasing engagement of ECMs.

Last but not least, the evenings were filled with a number of community building activities like games on the beach and medieval dance lessons taught by Dr. Mark Frenzel (UFZ, Germany).