Young EMERG - European ME Research Group Early Career Researchers

Reflections and Insights into the Young EMERG Symposium 2026

Reconnecting a Growing Research Community

The YE Symposium 2026 marked an important moment for reconnecting the ME/CFS early-career research community after the successful winter meeting in Vienna [1]. As biomedical research increasingly turns its attention to post-infectious conditions and the long-term effects of viral illness, creating spaces for collaboration has become essential. The symposium offered exactly that: a forum where early-career researchers could share new findings, explore emerging directions, and strengthen ties across institutions and countries.

A Diverse and Driven Participant Group

Twenty-eight participants attended in person, with additional colleagues joining remotely, creating a lively and collaborative atmosphere. The group was notably international, with strong representation from the Netherlands and the UK, and contributions from across Europe, Australia, South Africa and the US.

Those attending represented a range of career stages, with undergraduates, master's students, PhD students, postdocs and a handful of senior researchers. Scientifically, the mix was equally rich: bioinformatics, immunology, physiology, systems biology, neuroimaging and a range of specialised niches all converged, making discussions genuinely interdisciplinary.

Invited speakers brought hands-on experience in study design, recruitment, ethics and analysis, along with a broad set of recruitment strategies spanning social media, patient groups, clinical networks and more. Altogether, the meeting felt like a snapshot of the next generation of ME/CFS research: international, interdisciplinary and highly motivated.

Emerging Directions and Community Building

The first day followed a clear arc, beginning with opportunities to connect and setting the stage for deeper scientific exchange. Its core was the afternoon session of eleven early-career oral presentations, a rapid, high-energy tour through neuroimaging, machine learning, genetics, immunology and proteomics. Rather than isolated talks, the session offered a panoramic view of where the field is heading, shaped by researchers actively expanding its boundaries. The day concluded with a career-focused session on building a research trajectory, navigating opportunities and establishing a sustainable path within ME/CFS science.

The second day shifted the focus towards recruitment as a scientific driver that shapes study design, data quality and interpretation. Discussions explored who gets included, who gets missed and how recruitment strategies can be strengthened across different research settings. The poster session brought these themes into practice, showcasing early-career work spanning diverse methods, populations and conceptual frameworks.

The final scientific block moved decisively towards therapeutic development. Sessions on platform trials, clinical design and pharmaceutical R&D reframed ME/CFS research as a space where treatment innovation is increasingly tangible. This forward-looking perspective provided a fitting close to the scientific programme.

The symposium ended with awards, reflections and a shared sense of direction for the field. An evening of punting and a group dinner rounded off the event, reinforcing the relationships and collaborations that had taken shape over the two days.

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Further Information

• Reflections on the Young EMERG International ME Workshop in Vienna 2025
• Reflections and insights into the 5th Young EMERG workshop
• Join Young EMERG

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