The Herbert Fleisch Workshop 2026 in Denmark will support early- and mid-career scientists in advancing translational musculoskeletal research through mentoring, interdisciplinary exchange, and public engagement. The scientific program covers bone health in the light of obesity and sex hormones, the treasure of big data, cellular cross talk within bone tissue, and new techniques to study bone cells in action, integrated with peer presentations and expert discussions.

Participants will develop skills to critically evaluate scientific perspectives and to design collaborative studies across basic, clinical, and epidemiological fields. Reflection sessions will support career development, leadership awareness, and strategic decision-making.

Poster sessions with peer-to-peer discussion and outreach activities with patient organisations will further support science communication and societal engagement.

To register for the event please click here.

Speakers:

• Claes Ohlsson, Professor, University of Gothenburg (SE)
• Elena Tsourdi, Senior Consultant, Dresden University of Technology (DE)
• Julien Paccou, Professor, Lille University Hospital (FR)
• Kelsey Collins, Assistant Professor, University of California, San Francisco (US)
• Michelle McDonald, Associate Professor, University of Sydney (AU)
• Stefaan Verbruggen, Lecturer, Queen Mary University of London (UK)

Organisers:

• Alexander Rauch, Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark (DK)
• Bente Langdahl, Professor, Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
• Jeroen Geurts, Senior Lecturer, Lausanne University Hospital (CH)
• Liesbeth Winter, Associate Professor, Leiden University Medical Center (NL)
• Moustapha Kassem, Professor, Odense University Hospital (DK)

This workshop is intended for early- and mid-career researchers, such as Postdocs and young PIs in basic, translational, and clinical musculoskeletal research (PhDs in the last phase of education will be permitted if space is available).

The participants are selected based on a scientific abstract and a motivation letter (max. 2000 characters).

The fee for participating in the workshop is 230 Euro. Included in this comprehensive registration fee is participation, accommodation (14-16 September), meals, and refreshments, as well as dinner on Monday 14^th and Tuesday 15^th of September. Registration is administered through ECTS. Click here to access the registration portal.

Travel grants will be provided through different societies and organisations. Detailed information will follow soon.

Deadline for submission of abstracts and motivation letter:  21 June, 23.59h CET

Abstract submission and guidelines:
Abstracts will be submitted via the registration procedure through ECTS. Click here to access the registration portal. Abstract guidelines are outlined on the ECTS homepage. You can find them here.

Motivation letter submission and guidelines:
Your motivation letter (max 2000 characters) will be submitted via the registration procedure through ECTS. Click here to access the registration portal. The letter should include:

• Brief description of research focus
• Relevance of the workshop to your career and network
• Your expectation and contribution to the workshop

Format of poster:

Size of poster: A0 or A1 – width max. 1 m/height max. 1.25 m (“Portrait format” is visually preferred)