Dear Ecsite Member,

I would like to begin by drawing attention to the recent fire at Kersnikova, our 2025 Conference hosts. This unfortunate event is felt deeply by all of us in the science engagement community. We extend our heartfelt solidarity to the Kersnikova team during this challenging time. Despite the circumstances, I have no doubt that their resilience will help them overcome this setback, and we stand ready to support them as they continue their invaluable work.

Amidst this, I am pleased to share some important updates with you. First, the Call for Proposals to speak at the 2025 Ecsite Conference, hosted by Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, Poland is now open. This is your chance to contribute to shaping the conversation at the next gathering of our dynamic community. We encourage all of you to submit your ideas, insights, and innovations to help make the event a resounding success.

Looking ahead, I am also pleased to announce that registrations for the 2024 Directors Forum, hosted by We The Curious in Bristol will open on 11 September. This November, leaders across our network will gather to exchange ideas, explore new opportunities, and strengthen connections in what promises to be an inspiring and strategic event. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming Ecsite member leaders to this event.

As you know Ecsite members were invited to take part in the ASTC annual statistics survey at the beginning of this year. The results will be available soon and I’m sure these insights will be vital in guiding our future initiatives and helping us better understand the global science engagement picture.

Finally, I want to draw your attention to some changes coming to the Ecsite website in the coming weeks. The Ecsite team are working hard to enhance the online experience for all members, with a more user-friendly design and improved features that will help you stay connected and informed.

Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to our shared mission. Together, we can continue to push the boundaries of science engagement, even in the face of challenges.

Warm regards,

Bruno Maquart

President, Ecsite