Peer Support programme

Each year during its annual General Assembly, EGU offers a Peer Support programme that aims to support first-time conference attendees and help them build connections with other researchers within the Earth, planetary, and space science communities. Past participants have consistently reported that it’s a rewarding and fun experience.

Anyone participating in EGU26 who hasn’t previously attended a large geoscience conference is encouraged to register as a novice in the Peer Support programme. Novices will be matched with an experienced conference participant (experienced attendee) to help them network with other attendees, exchange feedback and ideas regarding professional activities and career development, and to make the most of the many opportunities EGU26 will offer.

EGU will match experienced attendees and novices as closely as possible based on their common interests and availability, and also offer some simple ideas and tips for ways to connect prior to EGU26’s start. Special networking opportunities will also be offered during the conference.

Any scientist (including early career researchers) who has attended at least two EGU General Assemblies, including EGU2020: Sharing Geoscience Online and vEGU21, is eligible to sign up as an experienced attendee to share their expertise with first timers. Participating in the programme does not need to take up much of your time before or during the EGU conference; you are free to decide how many times you’d like to connect with your assigned novice(s). Novice(s) can also join you for specific sessions you think would be worthwhile for them and/or participate in networking events you’re attending.

Experienced attendees and novices should be able to:

• Attend the training workshops that will be offered in April 2026, prior to EGU26 
• Contact each other at least one week before EGU26 starts
• Discuss their objectives for the Peer Support programme
• Meet virtually near the beginning of the conference to get acquainted and make plans to achieve the desired objectives
• If possible, meet virtually again towards the meeting’s end for additional discussions, such as how to build on the experience and maintain networks over the long term

Disclaimer: EGU will try to match all experienced attendees and novices but it may not always be possible to find a suitable pairing for everyone. Furthermore, if you are matched, we cannot guarantee your experienced attendee/novice is someone working or studying in your specific scientific field. While the EGU is responsible for the matching process, it is up to each matched pair to define their own meetings and programme for the conference, based on the suggestions above.

Sun, 3 May  (onsite): Opening reception | 18:30–21:00 (CEST) Foyer F. Look for the Peer Support beach flag.

Mon, 4 May  (onsite and online): First-time Attendee Networking | 18:00–19:00 (CEST) EGU networking zone (Hall X2)

Tue, 5 May  (onsite and online): Peer Support Meet Up | 12:45-13:45 (CEST) Rooftop Foyer

Tue, 5 May (onsite): ECS Networking Reception | 18:00–19:30 (CEST) Rooftop Foyer

What could be more rewarding than sharing experience with a keen young researcher? The mentoring programme teamed me up with a young East-Asian Vienna first-timer - closely matching scientific interest meant that we had loads to talk about, not just how to navigate the EGU AGM. We have since met at a specialist conference and I am sure that the mentoring scheme has produced friends for life.

Mentoring is an indispensable requirement for growth. Through the mentoring programme I was introduced to Dr Niels Hovius who was a generous mentor during EGU'17. His guidance during the conference enabled my interactions with prominent scientists and to navigate the conference to my maximum potential. I am grateful for this programme and hope it be fruitful for students in this coming year.

Mentoring an EGU novice student was the highlight of my 2017 General Assembly week. To see our elaborate and overwhelmingly large meeting through the eyes of a rookie makes you actively aware of many aspects that you have always taken for granted. To see the excitement in the eyes of a rookie when you take them deep into our organization and show them paths they had not expected to be open to them makes you appreciate all the General Assembly has to offer.