https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.128.36

Over 1,200 physiologists from 57 countries joined The Society and its partner societies (The Scandinavian Physiological Society, The German Physiological Society, and the Federation of European Physiological Societies) in September in Copenhagen for Europhysiology 2022. The series is unique in that it brings together physiologists working across Europe.

Of the 1,205 that registered, 675 were early career researchers who shared their research at the 18 oral communication sessions and two vibrant poster sessions. Many members reported the posters as being a particular highlight of the conference.

Our Scandinavian colleagues were excellent hosts of the 2022 conference, and Copenhagen was a welcoming city. The Local Organizing Committee’s thoughtful care and attention to the social programme meant that those attending could also experience local tourist attractions including a canal tour, and also the famous Tivoli Gardens. We were also warmly welcomed to the Copenhagen City Hall with its famous rådhuspandekager (Town Hall pancakes) at the welcome reception.

Thanks go to the Organizing Committee, and also the Scientific Programme Committee, chaired by Professor Helle Prætorius Øhrwald, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Three members of The Society share their highlights below.

Dr Catriona Cunningham

University of Aberdeen, UK

Europhysiology 2022 Poster Prize winner in Education & Teaching

This was the first time I have attended a Europhysiology conference and I was impressed by how well represented education and teaching were in the programme. It wasn’t something I’ve seen at any other international conference.

One of my highlights was definitely the poster sessions. There was a very lively, friendly atmosphere and it was a great opportunity to meet other teaching-focused physiologists. I felt really welcomed by them and it was exciting to hear about a wide range of innovative approaches to teaching.

Another highlight was Professor Dee Silverthorn’s Otto Hutter Physiology Teaching Prize Lecture on “Teaching in the Time of COVID – and Beyond”. She shared her valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of teaching during the pandemic or as she phrased it, the good, the bad and the ugly.

I also really enjoyed having the opportunity to hear about the latest physiology research. One session I found particularly fascinating was Professor Gero Miesenböck’s lecture on using optogenetics to identify sleep-inducing neurons in Drosophila.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Europhysiology 2022. I felt I had lots of great discussions and came away with several new ideas I want to introduce into my teaching. I’m really looking forward to Physiology 2023!

Dr Matthew Lee

University of Strathclyde, UK

Like many researchers during the COVID pandemic, I found it difficult to interact with online conferences. Not because the science was any less exciting, but because online events do not replicate the most important aspects of a conference – the social interaction, the networking and the poster sessions. So, after a two-year hiatus, I attended my first in-person conference at Europhysiology 2022 and it did not disappoint.

Europhysiology has the unique ability to bring together a considerable number of researchers from across Europe and beyond who have varying research interests but all with a shared focus on physiology. No matter where your research interests lie, you are guaranteed a session for you. Although my research focuses on vascular physiology, one of my highlights was the keynote lecture by Professor Bente Klarlund Pedersen where she discussed the benefit of prescribing exercise as a form of treatment in certain diseases.

As an early career researcher, it is always daunting to present to peers and experts. However, everyone at Europhysiology 2022 was very welcoming and friendly. I received excellent feedback and critique at the poster session, not only from experts in my field but also from researchers whose interests lie elsewhere. This was extremely beneficial as someone may ask a question you hadn’t thought of or offers a piece of knowledge that is very helpful.

Europhysiology 2022 was held in Copenhagen and was the first time I had visited the city. Copenhagen is a fantastic city. Everyone is very friendly and laid-back, the infrastructure encourages exploration (mainly by bicycle), and the food is fabulous. I mean you can’t really go wrong with an amusement park in the heart of the city!

Europhysiology series of conferences offers so much, especially for early career researchers. Anyone with an interest in physiology, should do their utmost to attend any future Europhysiology conferences.

Dr Luke Hughes,
Northumbria University, UK
Society Early Career Theme Lead for Human, Exercise and Environmental Physiology

Europhysiology 2022 was a brilliant conference that offered so many different opportunities for physiologists from around the world. The particular emphasis on early career researchers was an encouraging and beneficial aspect of the conference.

Unlike many other conferences I have attended, Europhysiology 2022 opened with a symposium focused on early career researchers and the speakers’ experience of working within, and between, academia and industry. As someone who has stepped into both areas during the early stages of my career, I found it incredibly useful to hear from individuals who had moved from academia to industry, or vice versa, and the challenges and rewards they had experienced.

The conference had an excellent mix of human, cellular, and molecular physiology sessions. It was brilliant to have the opportunity to listen to presentations from several, award-winning, world leaders within the keynote lectures. The organised symposia were fantastic, and it was great to support some of my colleagues in the sessions they had organised.

One of the highlights of the conference for me was the chance to meet individuals from The Physiological Society, and network with researchers from different institutions.

Copenhagen was an awesome location for the conference, with plenty to do outside of the scientific programme. The craft beer and food at Warpigs was a definite highlight for me!