The year 2024 wrapped up with EYCN’s vibrant presence at ECC9 in Dublin, Ireland, and the release of the Photochimica calendar in collaboration with the Royal Chemistry Society (UK). At the 9th European Chemistry Congress, EYCN played a central role in organizing the Young Program, a dedicated track to support, engage, and connect early-career chemists. This program featured three main themes: Career Development & New Skills, Societal Challenges, and Scientific Publishing, Communication & Collaboration, delivered through engaging workshops, panels, and seminars. The annual Photochimica Competition, where young chemists capture the beauty of chemistry through photography, ended the year on a high note with stunning submissions posted on EYCN’s socials under the theme “Elements in Chemistry.”
2025 kicked off with the 20th EYCN Delegate Assembly (DA), hosted by the Czech Chemical Society in Prague. Over 40 delegates from national chemical societies across Europe gathered for this landmark event. Highlights included a leadership and teamwork workshop with Elsevier, the election of a new EYCN Board, and the announcement of the next DA, set to be hosted by KVCV in Antwerp, Belgium! Congratulations to the new Board: Noah Al-Shamery, Joao Antonio, Monja Schilling, Konrad Barnowski, Carla Casadevall, Jelena Kesic, Tatiana Sviriniuc, and Wiktoria Brytan!
EYCN’s Chemistry Rediscovered video competition continues to bring chemistry to the public. The 2025 theme, “Chemistry in the Kitchen: Where Science Sizzles,” invited students and early-career chemists to explore the molecular science behind everyday cooking. Participants from across Europe are submitting creative videos that turn baking and boiling into teachable moments. Winners will be announced in late 2025.
We continue to support career development through our webinar series What Can I Be with a PhD?, featuring accomplished chemists sharing insights with those seeking growth or change. We also foster scientific conversation via our podcast Chemistry to Your Ears, from quantum chemistry to IUPAC, tune in on Spotify. Globally, we are present at conferences – from representation at the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress in Kuala Lumpur to the Croatian Meeting of Chemists and Chemical Engineers. And we look forward to many more in 2026.
Looking ahead, our successful Eurospectives video series, highlighting diverse voices from young European chemists, is going global with Glospectives. Meanwhile, our Science Team is launching ‘What Should Stick?’, a new initiative sharing key research insights from young chemists across Europe.
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