In January 2026, the PhD student conference on evolution and biodiversity (EvoBio2026) took place in Debrecen. EvoBio2026 brought together researchers, students, and educators from across the world for several days of lively discussions, new ideas, and shared enthusiasm for evolutionary biology and biodiversity. The scientific programme covered a wide range of topics, from theoretical advances to empirical insights, and featured keynote lectures alongside a strong line-up of student talks. The diversity of approaches and systems reflected the breadth and dynamism of the field.

The most important aspect of EvoBio2026 was the strong presence of early-career researchers and PhD students. Many participants presented their work for the first time, contributing fresh perspectives and energy throughout the week, while also gaining the opportunity to receive valuable feedback from a large and supportive group of experienced researchers.

The conference was enriched by an outstanding group of invited speakers and mentors, who joined us from across Europe and beyond, including Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Their scientific contributions, mentorship, and openness to discussion played a central role in shaping the welcoming and inspiring atmosphere of the meeting.

Pic by Stewart Nsange Ajele

We would like to highlight some comments from the participating students:

“As an environmental scientist, I found the conference truly insightful. It gave me the valuable opportunity to interact with evolutionary biologists, discover new perspectives in their field, and network with professionals from across Europe.”

“Sometimes you just need to speak out your ideas to get out of the confusion. As a first-year PhD student, this conference was a perfect learning opportunity for me. It was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow PhD students and to receive constructive feedback and advice from the mentors. It was also a great chance to connect with senior researchers, and I would highly recommend it to students at any stage!”

“The opportunity to present and discuss PhD proposals and ongoing experimental work in a collegial environment was greatly appreciated, and the feedback from both peers and invited professors will be highly beneficial for refining future research. I strongly hope that this platform will continue on a regular basis.”

Beyond the science, EvoBio2026 was a chance to reconnect with colleagues, meet new faces, and build networks. Whether during scientific sessions, shared meals, or evening events, conversations flowed easily and often continued late into the night.

Pic by Dr. Gábor Sramkó

We would like to thank all invited speakers, session chairs, students, volunteers, organisers (Prof. Tamás Székely, Sofia Rizzi, Karola Szemán and Mihály Gábor Mándi) and attendees for making EvoBio2026 such a rewarding experience. Your contributions, enthusiasm, and openness are what made this meeting truly special. We leave EvoBio2026 inspired, energized, and already looking forward to the next opportunity to come together again in January of 2027.