The eLTER Science Conference 2025: Top-notch Scientific Sessions, Interactive Workshops and a Robust Social Program

The first eLTER Science Conference (23-27 June 2025, Tampere, Finland) will bring together leading experts from various research fields to engage in thorough discussions on both environmental and socio-ecological issues. This approach will offer in-depth insights and a solid foundation for informing evidence-based policy-making and developing effective management solutions to address current and emerging environmental challenges. 

We spoke with the executive coordinator of the local organising committee to learn more about the event. 

Meet Paulina A. Rajewicz!

Paulina, your team has been pretty busy throughout the whole summer. What are the updates on the eLTER Science Conference? 

The organisation is progressing smoothly. We successfully closed the call for sessions and workshops, which received an excellent response. After meeting with the Scientific Committee, we have drafted the scientific program and finalized the overall conference schedule. 

The next key step is to open the call for abstract submissions (in October, stay tuned!), where we will invite presenters to contribute to sessions across the bio-, hydro-, geo-, atmo-, and socio- spheres. We're excited about the strong interest in the conference and look forward to receiving a wide range of high-quality abstracts. Decisions regarding abstract acceptance will be made around March 2025, and the final program will be published shortly thereafter.

Paulina A. Rajewicz

Which are the 3 most important things about an event like this?

Holistic Approach: We prioritize a comprehensive perspective, welcoming scientifically top-notch presentations on a wide range of topics across the critical zone, delivered by individuals from diverse backgrounds. The conference aims to facilitate communication among scientists from different fields, business representatives, policymakers, and stakeholders, fostering a shared understanding of the most pressing environmental and societal challenges.

Inclusiveness: We are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all participants, regardless of their background, career stage, ethnicity, gender, life circumstances, or parenting responsibilities. Our goal is to ensure that everyone feels valued and included in the conversation.

Networking: At the core of eLTER’s vision is a collaborative working culture. Collaboration thrives on trust, which is built through open, honest discussions and the free exchange of knowledge and ideas. We believe the eLTER Science Conference will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen existing collaborations and forge new ones, expanding the network of individual participants and the eLTER community as a whole. We pay special attention to the program to the early career scientists as well as to the people working at the eLTER Sites and eLTSER Platforms by offering several interesting workshops on diverse topics.

When making conceptual decisions about the eLTER conference, where do you draw inspiration from?

I have attended a variety of conferences, each offering different experiences, both positive and negative. The ones I found most effective struck a great balance between "heavy science" and networking, and provided space for open discussion, reflection, and even moments of disconnection from work. Drawing on these experiences, we are planning a conference that not only includes scientific sessions but also interactive workshops that explore both the science itself and our perceptions of it. For example, we have workshops focused on the art-science connection and work-life balance. Additionally, we’ve organized a robust social program and dedicated a full day to excursions. From my perspective, I also hope that the eLTER Science Conference will be a safe and inclusive environment for everyone in the scientific community, respecting one’s career stage and various life circumstances.

Viikinsaari island, a summer paradise only 20-min boat ride away from Tampere city center. It will host the conference dinner on Wed 25 June.

How do you think the eLTER Science Conference will stand out?

eLTER's mission is to enable high-impact research and deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of climate with the bio-, hydro-, geo-, and atmosphere. At eLTER, we also place great importance on exploring the relationships between environments and people. The first eLTER Science Conference will embody this mission, providing a platform to discuss the most pressing environmental challenges and offering a safe space for reflecting on their impact. We highly value transdisciplinary collaboration and communication, and through this conference, we aim to foster an inspiring environment where evidence-based solutions can be developed for the well-being of current and future generations.

#elterSC2025

We thank Paulina for the interview and remind you to mark your calendars for eLTER Science Conference (23-27 June 2025 Tampere, Finland)!

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