*The agenda might be subject to changes.

**The General Assembly (GA) is only for MCAA Members. Separate registration for both onsite and online participation at the GA is mandatory. Please note that registration to the Annual Conference is NOT considered registration for the GA. Onsite participants must show their identity cards upon entry to the GA.

Summary of abstracts

Parallel session slot 1

The Future of MSCA Programmes: A Climate-Conscious Approach

Climate concerns are reshaping research and innovation, driving rapid evolutions. Sustainability has become a central part of MSCA programmes, yet this can conflict with their high mobility requirements. As institutions turn to travel restrictions to reduce their environmental impact, reconciling these priorities is a key challenge for Project Managers. This session will explore strategies to implement climate-conscious training plans, from minimising footprint to incorporating sustainability at the core of the skills.

Unlocking Horizon Europe Funding

Horizon Europe is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation for 2021–2027, with a total funding of 93,5 billion euros. However, unlocking its full potential can be challenging, especially for newcomers. This session will address challenges such as programme complexity, funding mechanisms, administrative burden, and the programme’s supposedly low success rate. It will break Horizon Europe into different pillars and programmes, with a special focus on MSCA, EIC, COST, ERC and Clusters, bringing in perspectives from programme experts and successful researchers.

Bridging the Gap: What's Missing to Leverage AI in Research

This workshop explores the barriers researchers face in fully utilising artificial intelligence. The session will begin with a brief presentation of AI, emphasising the importance of leveraging it in research. Following this, participants will brainstorm to identify and reflect on the obstacles they encounter when incorporating AI into their research processes. The main point raised will then be discussed in a plenary. This interactive workshop aims to foster a collaborative environment where researchers can share their experiences, concerns, and ideas about integrating AI into their work.

From Truth to Trust: Science Communication in the Modern Era

Given the political turmoil around the world, the way we communicate online today has substantially changed. In certain countries, popular social media such as Facebook and X are banned. Moreover, social media platforms are increasingly used to spread misinformation, political agendas, and propaganda. This session navigates the sensitive issue of verifying information available online for the common masses, especially when the information is scientific and can cause panic among people. It also explores strategies for building public trust in scientific knowledge while engaging them.

Parallel session slot 2

Advancing Research Careers: Lessons from ERA Actions

This session explores the progress, challenges, and insights gained from the ERA Actions 2022–2024, focusing on their impact on researchers and innovators across Europe, including advancements in the Researcher Career Framework. Perspectives from Member States, the European Research and Innovation Area Committee (ERAC), the European Commission, and individual researchers will highlight achievements and areas for improvement. The session will also preview the ERA Actions 2025–2027, outlining new priorities and career opportunities in the evolving European Research Area and the upcoming framework programme FP10.

Empowering Women in Science Diplomacy for Global Innovation

In a rapidly changing world, the contributions of women in science diplomacy are more essential than ever. This session will explore how empowering women accelerates innovation, strengthens international collaboration, and promotes diversity. Women in these fields are key to shaping inclusive policies, driving research agendas, and addressing global challenges like climate change, health crises, and technological advancements. Panelists will share strategies for advancing gender equity, fostering mentorship, and creating pathways for leadership in science diplomacy.

Bridging Innovation & Policy: Strategic Communication

With the rapidly evolving scientific world, translating research into impactful policy and public understanding is essential. This innovation-communication nexus bridges the gap between research, policy, and the public and highlights the critical role of communication in transforming innovation into actionable agendas that shape society. This workshop-style interactive session will explore strategies for effectively conveying scientific insights to policymakers and the public, focusing on making research-driven innovation accessible beyond specialist circles.

Bridging Industry and Academia in MSCA Programmes

This panel discussion will explore strategies for improving industrial placements and secondments within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowships. Drawing from personal and collective experiences, panellists will discuss the critical role of industry-academia partnerships in maximising fellows’ skill development and career readiness. The session will also address common barriers, such as prolonged and complex negotiation processes, and the difficulties many fellows face in identifying industry partners willing to engage in secondments.

Parallel session slot 3

Towards Fair and Inclusive Research Assessment

This session explores the changing landscape of research assessment, focusing on efforts to create inclusive, fair, and transparent evaluation frameworks. Leading experts from policy, funding, and research communities will discuss ongoing initiatives, such as those by the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), that prioritise diverse contributions instead of relying solely on narrow metrics. It will focus on how new assessment criteria can influence research careers, support early-career researchers, and promote a more dynamic research ecosystem.

Insights and Impact on Researcher Wellbeing and Mental Health

This interactive session will provide an overview of the ReMO project, which focused on the critical issue of wellbeing and mental health in academia. The project developed context-specific frameworks and tools tailored to address the challenges in academic environments. Moreover, potential risks and challenges will be evaluated to develop tailored approaches and actionable strategies aimed at improving individual well-being and creating a supportive, sustainable environment that promotes success and innovation.

AI Ethics & Integrity for Responsible Research & Innovation

As AI transforms research across disciplines, balancing innovation with responsibility is essential. This session will examine the ethical challenges of AI in research, including mitigating algorithmic bias, protecting data privacy, and ensuring the integrity of scientific findings. It will also discuss the new EU AI Act, which aims to foster responsible artificial intelligence development and deployment in the EU, and the impact of this new regulation on research and innovation.

Bridging Science, Art & Society in a Rapidly Evolving World

In a rapidly evolving world, the gap between complex research and society grows. This session explores how arts and design can bridge this divide, enhancing public engagement. Project managers and fellows from two ITN projects will share their experiences integrating art with science to connect researchers, artists, and the public. The discussion will address ways to avoid alienating society amidst rapid R&D advancements.

Parallel session slot 4

How is Open Science part of Research Assessment: New Metrics for Real Impact

Traditional approaches to measuring research impact for hiring, promotion, and funding decisions have often focused on limited quantitative metrics. Recently, the movement to reform research assessment has advocated for a more balanced and responsible assessment of research and researchers. New indicators and metrics are being piloted that incentivise open science practices. This session aims to explore strategies from diverse stakeholders for reforming research assessment in their respective contexts and achieving a balanced approach to achieving fair and meaningful research evaluation.

Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Planning Workshop

This session will lay the groundwork for a Diversity and Inclusion Plan that aligns with the MCAA's mission and long-term goals. Through collaborative and actionable strategic planning anchored on a shared commitment to equity, the aim is to define specific, measurable objectives that will guide the Association’s growth. By integrating inclusive practices, the goal is to build a community that not only supports its members but actively champions inclusion in all its forms and principles in every interaction, initiative, and partnership.

Expat Communities: Science Policy & International Mobility

In a rapidly evolving world, sticking to one’s roots can be crucial for individuals and societies. This applies explicitly to researchers abroad. Researcher expat communities have been built through bottom-up efforts, and the resulting support networks tend to enable easier accommodation for expat researchers and their families. Thanks to expats’ experiences in academic systems abroad, they often positively influence science policy in their home countries upon their return. This session focuses on discussing expat experiences, their societal benefits and their impact on science policy, as well as on promoting international mobility in research and innovation.

The Future of Science: Bridging Careers, Collaboration & Innovation

This session explores the transformative potential of research careers through collaboration, open innovation, and sustainability. Featuring experts from academia, industry, and policymaking, it delves into strategies for interdisciplinary career building, fostering academia-business partnerships, and advancing global sustainability goals. Participants will gain insights into leveraging diverse career opportunities, navigating funding landscapes, and driving innovation through open-access practices, with real-world examples from the MSCA, European Commission and beyond.