Below is the full programme for the 2026 AGM and Conference from 30 June to 3 July 2026, with pre-Conference workshops from 28-29 June 2026. Public Conference sessions are color-coded and labeled as public sessions.
Check back for ongoing updates.
09:00 – 18:00
Science leadership workshop for new GYA members
Location: Constructor University
Internal Workshop: Registration required
This 1.5-day workshop aims to give incoming GYA members space to reflect together on how to be leaders in diverse contexts: in their research contexts, in the institutions and communities where they live and work, and in the GYA. The workshop will explore effective and creative problem solving, collective leadership tools, personality differences and preferences in teams and cultural dexterity. The workshop aims to equip new GYA members with curiosity and confidence as they begin their tenure with the GYA and attend their first Annual General Meeting.
All day
Arrival of GYA members
09:00 – 13:00
Science leadership workshop for new GYA members
Location: Constructor University
Internal Workshop: Registration required
Continued from Day 1 on 28 June 2026
09:00 – 10:30
Organizers preparatory meeting
Location: Constructor University
11:00 – 13:00
GYA Executive Committee in-person meeting
Location: Constructor University
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
Location: tba
14:00 – 16:00
Science advice in challenging settings: An interactive workshop for early- to-mid career researchers
Science Advice Workshop -Joint GYA-INGSA Europe event
Drawing on emerging insights from INGSA-Europe’s Science Advice in Challenging Settings work, this interactive workshop invites early- to mid-career researchers to explore how science supports policymaking in practice. Participants will take part in a case-based simulation reflecting real-world advisory challenges.
This on-location-only session is open to all GYA AGM & Conference attendees and will be particularly valuable for EMCRs with experience engaging with policy or curiosity about doing so.
Participation by registration only: Find a detailed workshop description and registration link here.
Location: Constructor University
16:30 – 18:30
Falling Walls Lab Global Young Academy
The first Falling Walls Lab at a GYA AGM! More information on eligibility and application here: Falling Walls Lab – Annual General Meeting and International Conference
Location: Constructor University
19:00 – 21:00
Welcome Dinner
Location: Constructor University
Tuesday, 30 June 2026 AGM (Internal)
09:00 – 10:30
Official Opening of the 2026 AGM
Welcome
Inauguration of new members
Location: Constructor University
10:30 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:30
General Assembly
Executive Committee reporting
Activities Highlights
Location: Constructor University
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:30
GYA Activities Fair
During coffee / tea break
Location: Constructor University
15:30 – 18:30
Themes Meetings
Theme 1 – Engaging in foresight & innovation
Theme 2 – Strengthening the Science and Research Ecosystem
Theme 3 – Bridging Science and Society
Theme 4 – Empowering Early and Mid-Career Researchers
Location: Constructor University
19:00 – 21:00
Dinner and Networking Time
09:00 – 10:30
Official Conference Opening
Location: Constructor University
Public session
Welcome from the GYA Co-Chairs:
Siok Yee Chan, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy.
Yensi Flores Bueso, University College Cork; University of Washington in Seattle, Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy.
Opening Speaker:
Robbert Dijkgraaf, President elect of the International Science Council.
Opening Discussion Panel – Strengthening Global Research Collaboration for Science as a Global Public Good
Panelists
Robbert Dijkgraaf, President elect of the International Science Council.
Marileen Dogterom, Co-Chair of the InterAcademy Partnership, President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).
Abdulsatar Sultan, President of the Arab-German Young Academy (AGYA), Catholic University in Erbil, Head of the Department of Business Management; GYA member
Natisha Dukhi, Human Sciences Research Council, former Co-Chair South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), GYA member.
Kerstin Pahl, Researcher at Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Germany; Member of die Junge Akademie.
Moderator
Michael Saliba, University of Stuttgart, Director of Photovoltaics, former Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy, Alumnus of die Junge Akademie, Member of Acatech.
10:30 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:30
Panel I – AI Governance for a Shared Future: Science, Policy, and Global Equity
Location: Constructor University
Public session
This session will explore aspects of responsible governance of machine intelligence use in science and research, across world regions and disciplines. The discussion will examine emerging global frameworks, with a focus on ethical considerations, as well as equity and inclusion of underrepresented voices in research.
Speakers:
Neema Mduma, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania; GYA member.
Fadi Daou, Executive Director, Globethics.
Soribel Feliz, CEO and Founder, Personal Algorithms.
Emilija Stojemanova Duh, Associate Professor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; GYA Member.
Moderator:
Luz Milbeth Cumba Garcia, Founder, SciPolicy Global Strategies LLC; GYA Member.
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch break
Conference photo
14:00 – 15:30
Panel II – Accelerating Discovery: AI’s Transformative Role in Natural Sciences and Engineering
Public session
In this session, panelists will address how AI is fundamentally reshaping the scientific method and accelerating breakthroughs across the natural sciences and engineering. The discussion will highlight groundbreaking applications in fields like climate science, medicine, and advanced materials, while also addressing critical questions of equity, access, and the new skills required for the next generation of scientists.
Speakers:
Lise Øvreås, President of the European Academies Science Advisory Council.
Dominik Grimm, University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf and Technical University of Munich, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability.
Maddalena Rostagno, EMMC task group leader on TG Artificial Intelligence for material design.
Rishemjit Kaur, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – Central Scientific Instruments Organisation; INYAS Member.
Moderator:
Francesco Maurelli, Constructor University Bremen (Germany, EU), Program Chair for the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Program, and GYA Member.
Location: Constructor University
15:30 – 16:00
Break
16:00 – 17:30
Research Talks
Public session
Location: Constructor University
18:00 – 19:00
EC Pitches
Location: Constructor University
20:00 – 23:00
Gala Dinner
Welcoming Speech
Bettina Rockenbach, President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
Location: Kränholm Restaurant (Auf dem Hohen Ufer 35, 28759 Bremen; 1,6 km walking distance from Constructor University campus)
Thursday, 02 July Conference Day (public)
09:00 – 10:30
Public Dialogue Session – Trust in Science, AI and Publishing
Public session
Speakers
Anita de Waard, Vice President of Research Collaborations at Elsevier Research Collaborations Unit.
tba
10:30 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:30
Panel III – AI at the Core of Disciplinary Foundations in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Public session
This session will explore how AI is pressuring the foundations of different research disciplines. Each panelist will present one disruptive question that AI has raised for their field, such as whether long standing methods remain necessary or how AI reshapes the kinds of questions researchers can ask. The session will use these concrete cases to open a shared discussion about what counts as independent research work, or as empirical evidence, how disciplinary identities may shift, and where AI generated insights can genuinely support or distort scholarly work.
Speakers:
Vusumuzi Maphosa, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Zimbabwe, ICTS Department Director.
Fatima Roumate, President of the International Institute of Scientific Research, Member of Expert Group for the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence UNESCO, Morocco.
Moderator:
Rima-Maria Rahal, Institute of Cognition and Behavior at Vienna University of Economics and Business; GYA-Member.
Location: Constructor University
12:30 – 12:45
Closing of the Conference
Public session
Location: tba
12:45 – 13:15
Sponsors’ session (TBD)
Public session
Location: Constructor University
13:15 – 14:30
Lunch
Location: Constructor University
15:00 – 18:30
Excursion
Bremen city. More information to follow.
Location: tba
19:00 – 21:00
Dinner Reception and Networking
Location: tba
Friday, 03 July 2026 AGM (Internal)
09:00 – 10:30
GYA Committees meetings
09:00-09:45 – Parallel committee meetings: NomOppC, Member Selection, Comms, FundCom
09:45-10:30 – Parallel committee meetings: ORC, CLC, Young Academies, ARC
Location: Constructor University
10:30 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 13:00
General Assembly
Including farewell to outgoing GYA members
Location: Constructor University
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
Official End of Meeting
14:00 – 15:30
EC – EC transition meeting
Location: Constructor University