The General Assembly is the nucleus around which EGU’s community gathers and connects, providing a week of opportunity to meet new people and reaffirm old bonds. Progress within science and its impact on society rises from the confluence of ideas and a diversity of voices; to facilitate meeting and discussion at the Assembly, #EGU26 offers a number of paths for building your network.
Networking events are available both within and across scientific disciplines, and for joining communities engaging with the many cross-cutting themes in the Earth, space and planetary sciences.
Attending online? Meet each other online using the official EGU26 virtual conference centre in Gather.Town, which includes its own networking zone. Virtual attendees should also keep an eye out on the pop-up networking programme mentioned below, where community-led online events are scheduled.
There’s a lot of networking opportunities out there and below we’ll guide you through some of the highlights. Be sure to keep track of events that interest you by building your personal programme.
Pop-up networking
The pop-up networking tool allows attendees to add their own events to the EGU26 programme. Every year, a diverse of cornucopia of events are submitted ranging from topical discussions to social events both online and in-person. Keep an eye on the pop-up networking programme page as events are added throughout the Assembly, or organise your own!
In the pop-up networking programme, you will find:
- icebreakers,
- social evenings,
- lunches and dinners,
- post-session discussions,
- topical meetings,
…and more!
In previous years, the pop-up networking programme also included events like:
- post-session scientific discussions,
- playground breaks for attendees with children, and
- meetings with geoscience societies and organisations also in attendance
Take some inspiration and set up your own!
You can learn how to organise your own pop-up networking event ahead of or during the General Assembly in our “Run your own event at EGU26 with the pop-up networking scheduler!” article.
Union-wide networking
Several key events mark the networking and social programme for the whole of the Union:
Sunday 3 May (18:30 – 21:00) – Opening Reception
Kick-off the week at the official opening, which brings together the geoscience community from across the Union in a single event.
Monday 4 May (18:00 – 19:30) – First-time Attendee Networking
People new to the General Assembly should join this first-timers event, especially for attendees whose networks may be small or just beginning.
Monday 4 May (18:00 – 19:30) – EDI Reception
Also on Monday, the EDI Reception is open to attendees interested in the Union’s equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Tuesday 5 May (12:45-13:45) – Peer Support Meet-Up
On Tuesday at noon, EGU provides space for mentors and novices (first-time conference attendees) from the peer-support programme to connect over lunch, both with each other and with fellow novices and mentors.
Tuesday 5 May (18.00 – 19.30) – ECS Networking Reception
Later that evening, early career scientists (ECS) are encouraged to join the ECS Networking Reception where they will meet other ECS from across the divisions along with the early career scientist representatives, senior scientists, medalists and EGU’s volunteers. No prior registration is needed, however due to the popularity of the event it will be held in both the Rooftop Foyer (Blue Level) and Foyer C (Red Level).
Wednesday 6 May (18:00–19:30) – Celebrating Neurodiversity in Geosciences + Pride & Allies Reception
Neurodiverse attendees are welcome to check-in on the growing neurodiversity network at the Celebrating Neurodiversity in Geosciences event. At the same time, the Pride & Allies Reception is where LGBTQIA+ members and their allies are invited to learn about the EGU Pride network. Both events will share the Rooftop Foyer, with side rooms 3.16/3.17 and 3.29/3.3 available as quiet spaces to chat.
Thursday 7 May (12:45-13:45) – ECS Forum: Have your say!
Early career scientists (ECS) are encouraged to attend the ECS Forum where they can meet the early career scientist representatives over lunch, learn what the reps do for the community throughout the year, and give feedback on the ECS experience at the Assembly.
Thursday 7 May (18:00–19:30) – Diverse & Rising Geoscientists Networking
The Thursday networking block welcomes attendees whose research communities who are historically under-represented and may encounter barriers when engaging with geoscience networks.
Thursday 7 May (18:00–19:30) – 25 Years of Interactive Open Access Publishing
EGU is celebrating 25 years of interactive open access publishing. Build new connections, meet the Executive and Chief Editors of EGU Journals, and learn how to get involved in shaping the future of EGU publications.
Friday 08 May (18:10–20:00) – GeoVision Night
A night of music and science, GeoVision Night offers a space to celebrate science beyond the lecture halls. The night will feature a live performance followed by karaoke, where we celebrate the creativity, diversity, and spirit of our community together.
Topical networking
Attendees who want to meet others with an interest in topics affecting scientific research and impact across disciplines should check out the cross-cutting themes and the splinter meetings programme groups.
Splinter meetings host a number of topical networking events, such as the Shaping Your Science-Policy Career: Pathways and Opportunities on Monday 4 May (14:00–15:45) and the GEWEX Global Groundwater Network event on Wednesday 06 May (08:30–10:15). Some are invite-only, so do check whether it says so on the programme!
The cross-cutting themes programme group provides opportunities to meet division-spanning communities, like the Union’s science-policy community at events like the daily Science for Policy Helpdesk. It also offers the chance to join the EDI related short course on Tuesday 05 May (14:00–15:45), titled “Managing Academia and Parenting in society today“. Attendees wanting to build a creative network should consider attending one of the Art-Science sessions.
Exhibitor tours
Exhibitor tours provide a guided walk through of the stands hosted by a variety of organisations, publishers, and industry experts, offering opportunities to engage directly with the individuals behind the tools that shape modern research. They are a great way to break the ice if you’re not sure how to approach exhibitors, while also helping you find new opportunities beyond your own field.
Check the program for scheduled tour times for the exhibitor tours.
Jobs Spot & Jobs Board
Looking to fill a vacancy, advertise a position or highlight your own career profile? The Jobs Spot on Purple Level (-2), Foyer D, just near the Artists in Residence. This is also the location for the ECS Exhibitors Tour, where you can meet with the conference exhibitors alongside other job-seekers.
Division networking
Of the 22 scientific divisions that compose EGU’s community, many will be hosting their own networking events. These include mini-breaks and lunchtime meet-ups during the assembly, as well as evening events afterwards. Be sure to check-out the pop-up networking events section on the programme, where community members add networking opportunities for their division throughout the Assembly.
Events are also advertised on many division’s blogs and social media profiles – you can discover what social media your division has on the division’s webpage, accessed through the online list of divisions. Division events and other communications are shared by EGU’s official social media accounts.
Division meetings also provide the opportunity to meet the volunteers behind your division’s initiatives and find out what your division does throughout the year. Lastly, celebrate and uplift the accomplishment of your colleagues at the Medal & Award Lectures and Celebrations.
Meet EGU
Interested in meeting the people who keep the Union moving, what initiatives and opportunities are available at the Assembly and throughout the year, or how to get involved? The Meet EGU programme subgroup is your invitation to get to know the many volunteers and the staff that make the Assembly – and EGU as a whole – work. Stop by if you want to meet the editors of EGU journals, the teams behind the scientific divisions, the committees which oversee the Union’s many education and outreach initiatives, or if you are just curious to know who organises the conference programme!
EGU will continue to post articles online over the coming weeks to support and guide our members through the EGU26 General Assembly. We look forward to welcoming you to Vienna, either in-person or online!
