The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) hosted the Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry Europe (EWOC Europe) conference for the first time on 29–30 June 2026.
The event addressed the persistent underrepresentation of women in organic chemistry by promoting networking across academia and industry, and by supporting women chemists and allies at different career stages through a programme combining scientific presentations and workshops on career development, leadership and inclusion.
About 130 participants registered for the meeting, which featured 60 poster presentations alongside invited lectures and discussion sessions. The programme provided opportunities for early-career researchers and established professionals to exchange scientific knowledge and share career experiences, while contributing to the creation of supportive peer networks and increasing the visibility of underrepresented voices in the field.
Dr Stephanie Amos, postdoctoral researcher at ICIQ and one of the conference speakers, said “I love the vibe of the EWOC conferences, it’s an honour to participate in one as a speaker. I think there is a lot of value in promoting these types of events, the friendly and supportive atmosphere illustrates why diversity and cohesion in science is important: we are all individuals with different opinions, interests and strategies working towards excellency.”
The conference was organised by Scientific Update, a UK-based company specialising in scientific training and events for the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, in collaboration with the local organiser Prof. Mónica H. Pérez-Temprano (ICIQ) as a member of the EWOC Europe steering committee.
“EWOC Europe 2026 at ICIQ has been an incredible success. Across two days of excellent science, networking, great food, and sunshine, scientists from different career stages and paths came together to learn from outstanding role models, build strong connections, and leave inspired and energised.” explained Dr. Cristina García Morales (AstraZeneca), a former PhD researcher at ICIQ in the group of Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren, and also part of the organising team and a member of the EWOC Europe steering committee.
The European edition was launched following the success of the original US-based Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry meeting, first held in 2019. Since then, EWOC Europe has been organised annually, with previous editions taking place in Manchester (2023), Birmingham (2024) and Basel (2025), bringing together participants from a wide range of academic, industrial and institutional backgrounds.
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