Testimonial Euclid Mission Conference 2025
From 18 to 22 March 2025, Leiden hosted the Euclid Mission Congress, the annual international meeting of the Euclid consortium. Within the Euclid consortium, more than 1,600 scientists and engineers work together on the Euclid satellite mission. The congress was organised by a broad team, under the coordination of Leiden astronomer Prof Dr H. Hoekstra, in cooperation with Leiden University, the European Space Agency (ESA) and several European partners.
About the conference
Every year, the Euclid Mission Congress brings together hundreds of international researchers around the Euclid satellite mission. The 2025 edition in Leiden was extra special, Prof Hoekstra and Prof Rottgering indicated: ‘for the first time since the launch of the satellite in 2023, scientific results were presented’.
With a combination of plenary sessions, project updates and cooperation between partners, the congress offered a strong content and future-oriented programme.
Why Leiden?
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Prof Rottgering and Prof Hoekstra told us that international delegations found Leiden surprisingly accessible and convenient. For many participants, it was their first time in Leiden, and they were immediately impressed by the accessibility and ease of moving around the city.
‘You get off at Schiphol, take the train and walk from the station straight into the city,’ Prof Rottgering explained. ‘Participants are really surprised how close everything is to each other.’
The small scale of the city was also seen as positive. Hotels, conference venues, eateries - everything is within walking distance, so participants continue to meet each other easily, even outside the formal programme. That makes Leiden not only efficient, but also personal and connecting
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According to Prof Hoekstra and Prof Rottgering, Leiden is much more than just a beautiful conference location. It is a city where science is visible and tangible. They stressed that during the Euclid Mission Congress, participants did not only meet in modern halls, but also in historical university locations, such as the Old Observatory, the Kamerlingh Onnes Building and the Academy Building.
Prof Hoekstra said that as far as they were concerned, the slogan Leiden, City of Science was more than a label. ‘You see it everywhere in the city: from wall formulas on buildings to centuries-old knowledge institutions. That adds to the atmosphere as well as the content of such a congress.’
This interweaving of science with the city itself lets participants experience that they are part of something bigger, a tradition of curiosity, research and collaboration.
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Besides the substantive programme, the city itself also played an important role in the experience of the Euclid Mission Congress. Prof Hoekstra and Prof Rottgering told that many participants went out into the city in the evenings, often spontaneously, without the need for a tight programme.
‘That is the beauty of Leiden,’ Prof Rottgering said. ‘Because of the small scale, you automatically meet each other. You walk into town and people from the congress are everywhere.’
There was a communal dinner at Scheltema, but most of the social programme arose organically. The proximity of restaurants, cafés and cultural venues made it easy to meet informally and make new connections, something that is much harder to organise in a larger city.
Trends & tips
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Trends
Prof Hoekstra and Prof Rottgering identify four key developments in the organisation of international congresses:
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Hybrid organisation: Since the corona pandemic, hybrid organisation has been the norm. It makes participation more accessible, but also requires clear communication about technical facilities and costs.
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Sustainability: Universities and institutions increasingly emphasise environmentally aware travel. Leiden benefits from this thanks to its excellent train connections with Paris, London and Munich, among others.
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Diversity: Increasing attention is being paid to a balanced list of speakers, with an eye for gender, background and geographical spread. This requires conscious planning.
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Engaging young talent: Sessions in which experienced researchers mentor young colleagues are becoming increasingly important. Think of mentoring programmes and interactive formats that actively involve young researchers in the network.
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Tips
For anyone considering organising a congress in Leiden, the astronomers gave some practical recommendations:
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Start on time: Good preparation prevents unnecessary stress and gives room for coordination with partners and venues.
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Work together with local parties: Leiden has experience with international congresses, make use of that knowledge and infrastructure.
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Let the city work for you: According to Prof Hoekstra, managing people is ultimately the most important thing. Keeping it simple - with a combination of historic buildings, a compact layout and an academic atmosphere - will automatically enhance the congress experience.
‘Leiden is a congress city,’ says Prof Hoekstra. ‘And you notice that in everything.’
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