Highlights from our BSN Early Career Researcher Meeting, Neuroendo Celebrate 2026
Written by Dr Miguel Ruiz Cruz, former BSN Early Career Representative
The British Society for Neuroendocrinology Early Career Researcher (ECR) Meeting, held in Manchester this September, was organised by and for ECRs. Our idea was to create a friendly space where ECRs were not the audience, but the programme. We also wanted to offer a meeting in the UK for everyone who couldn't make it to the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (ICN) in Japan, and to celebrate a key turning point in the history of the British Society for Neuroendocrinology (BSN) and the Journal of Neuroendocrinology (JNE), whose support made the meeting possible.
"Both the Society and the Journal were founded by ECRs"
The meeting started with a plenary lecture by Prof. Gareth Leng. When he accepted our invitation, he reminded me that both the Society and the Journal were founded by ECRs, which was a nice thought for a meeting like this one. Most of the programme was for ECRs, with two oral sessions and two poster sessions, each with its own prize for the best communication. Congratulations to all who won prizes: Rebecca Hughes, Gitalee Sarker, Claire Feetham and Catarina Aguiar Goncalves. We also had the lectures from this year's Julia Buckingham and Michael Harbuz Award winners, Paula-Peace James-Okoro and Dr Szilvia Vas respectively, recognising the achievements of promising ECRs. In addition, Prof. Mike Lehman, Editor-in-Chief of JNE, led a workshop where we learnt what happens after we click the submit button. Finally, Prof. Carlos Diéguez closed the meeting with the Alison Douglas Lecture, which recognises senior scientists with a great track record of supporting ECRs.
Many senior neuroendocrinologists joined us making the meeting particularly special. There was a really friendly atmosphere of discussion between the senior researchers and the ECRs presenting their work, especially during the poster sessions. The celebratory dinner was a great way to continue those conversations, and also a chance to thank Sue Thorn, BSN's former CEO, for her many years with the Society.
"There was a really friendly atmosphere of discussion between the senior researchers and the ECRs"
When we put the programme together, we wanted to give ECRs a central role and a space where they could present their work and receive feedback. For me, the main learning is how valuable this kind of space is, and how much ECRs gain from it, and I was glad to see that the feedback from attendees reflected this. That sense of community is exactly what the BSN is about.
"We wanted to give ECRs a central role and a space where they could present their work and receive feedback."
I would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation for all their work over the past months, especially Roni Robbins, BSN Support Officer, and the ECR organising committee. Thanks also to Rebecca Dumbell and Isadora Clivatti Figuro, Communications Secretary and Deputy Communications Secretary respectively, for their lovely video (see below), and to everyone who presented, chaired and attended.
Take a look at the BlueSky #NeuroendoCelebrate2026 feed to catch up on what happened live.
How do our ECRs describe the BSN in three words? Have a watch
Live scribing illustration from the Neuroendo Celebrate dinner
Rewatch plenary videos on mySociety
BSN members can click on the images below to rewatch the lectures (you must be logged into mySociety):
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