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Asmae Ourkiya

Asmae Ourkiya (They/Them) is the Media and Engagement Manager at EGU. They manage press releases, coordinate press participation and the press centre at the EGU General Assembly, and write and manage the EGU blogs. Asmae holds a Ph.D. in queer intersectional ecofeminism from MIC, University of Limerick in Ireland. Their research revolves around climate justice, and promotes inclusion and equality in climate governance.

The prize that failed forward: How a 100,000-franc quest for aliens funded a century of astronomy

December 17, 2025
The prize that failed forward: How a 100,000-franc quest for aliens funded a century of astronomy
Photo by Leo Visions. Source: Unsplash

Today, 17 December, marks 125 years since the formal announcement of one of the most eccentric, ambitious, and ultimately consequential prizes in the history of science: the Prix Pierre Guzman. Announced by the French Académie des Sciences in December 1900, the award promised 100,000 francs, which is the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars today, to the first person who could successful ...[Read More]

Why we need to put plants back in the soil carbon picture

December 5, 2025
Why we need to put plants back in the soil carbon picture
The shades of soil versus the shape of the gully by Anindya Majhi Source: Imaggeo

Happy International Soil Day (5 December)! Today, we’re celebrating the incredible capacity of soil organic carbon (SOC) to fight climate change. But hold the celebratory cake! A paper in the journal SOIL by Raza et al. (2025) has exposed an unexpected scientific blind spot, and it’s a bit surprising! The paper, titled “Missing the input: the underrepresentation of plant physiology in ...[Read More]

Your visa guide for the EGU General Assembly 2026: Navigating the Schengen process

December 1, 2025
Your visa guide for the EGU General Assembly 2026: Navigating the Schengen process
Image by Kit (formerly ConvertKit). Source: Unsplash

Attending the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna is an invaluable experience, where scientists, researchers, and professionals come together from all over the world to share knowledge, expand networks, and strengthen the geosciences community. However, if you’re coming from a non-EU country and require a visa, preparing for your trip may feel overwhelming. As a former visa ...[Read More]

The living skin of our planet: Why a world soil health index is our next great global scorecard

November 28, 2025
The living skin of our planet: Why a world soil health index is our next great global scorecard
Soil water repellency by Antonio Jordán Source: Imaggeo

Next time you’re outdoors, in a park or anywhere where there is no pavement, look down at the patch of earth beneath your feet. To many people, it’s just mud, dirt, or maybe soil, something passive that things grow in. But to a soil scientist, that handful of soil represents a dynamic ecosystem that supports an incredible 95% of all the food we eat, filters every drop of our drinking water, ...[Read More]