After two successful EPICUR Forums in the past two years, this years´ Forum was the first one to take place physically and thus enabled EPICUR colleagues from all partner institutions to meet in person – for some for the first time since the EPICUR project started in 2019. Organised by the University of Freiburg, more than 150 participants from all over the alliance and beyond came together for three days to discuss the experiences EPICUR staff and students have had so far during the pilot phase, as well as the plans for the upcoming full rollout phase.
Aiming primarily at EPICUR staff members, rectors, researchers and students from the nine partner institutions, the Forum was organised as a physical and public event providing an opportunity to connect, to share experiences and to jointly develop ideas for the future phase of EPICUR also with members and people interested in EPICUR from outside academia.
Starting off with the first ever EPICUR Science Slam on September 14th, offering the stage for Early Career Researchers from the EPICUR Institutions, the Forum featured different formats on its main day (Thursday, September 15th) including panel discussions, roundtables and plenaries as well as a posterwalk and different expert panels. An online-keynote speech by Vanessa Debiais-Sainton and greetings from the EU-Commissioner Mariya Gabriel opened this year’s EPICUR Forum, that offered ample opportunities for EPICUR staff members, associated partners, guests and students to discuss, exchange ideas and network. The third and last day, September 16th, was dedicated to EPICUR internal meetings, such as the student board meeting, Steering committee meeting and project communication team meeting. While enjoying a picknick lunch at the Botanical Garden of the University of Freiburg, participants had the chance to attend the planting of another EPICUR tree – the continuation of a new tradition that was born in Vienna in May 2022 during an EPICUR networking conference at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences.
Participants of the EPICUR Forum pointed out that they were delighted with the wide range and variety of programme points, guest speakers and experts and the diverse perspectives on the overall topic. The Forum was perceived as a great opportunity for fruitful discussions, lively exchange about the future years in EPICUR and, last but not least, to strengthen ties within the growing EPICUR family.
Check out the best pics from the forum : lien vers la gallerie une fois créé
Watch the official opening of the EPICUR Forum here
