Report from the EuChemS Division of Organic Chemistry, 16th Young Investigator Workshop (YIW2025)
27.6.-28.6.2025, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Young Investigator Workshop (IYW) is organised by the EuChemS Division of Organic chemistry to “promote and recognise academic excellence in organic chemistry within (and outside) Europe” (https://www.euchems.eu/divisions/organic-chemistry-2/participants-to-the-previous-editions-of-the-young-investigator-workshop/). The event is held annually prior to either EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC) or the European Symposium on Organic Chemistry (ESOC) and the participating researchers are nominated by their respective country’s member society. This year, I had the privilege to represent Finland in this workshop and engage in the inspiring exchanges and contributions during the two-day event.

This year, the IYW took place in Copenhagen, Denmark and was organised by the University of Copenhagen. Close to 30 young investigators from Europe and the US and Canada, along with three industrial representatives, were invited to present their research and results at the workshop. The topics of the talks ranged from natural product synthesis, biological and inorganic chemistry to catalysis showcasing the applicability and importance of organic and synthetic chemistry in today’s academic research. In addition, two of the workshop sponsors, publishers Elsevier and Thieme, informed the participants about their new artificial intelligence tools (Elsevier) and peer review practices (Thieme) and both talks sparked lively discussions among the audience.
The first day was drawn to a close with a fun workshop activity to get to know each other better and to acknowledge one’s strengths and expertise in chemistry for potential future collaborations. Conference dinner allowed the discussions to continue in a more relaxed setting and the topics shifted from scientific enquiries to more personal experiences and challenges faced by young group leaders. To me, this was the highlight of the workshop, discussing with researchers of the same career stage and learning about their experiences, difficulties and accomplishments.
The organisers treated us extremely well with excellent venue and hospitality: the atmosphere of the meeting was friendly, and the limited participation ensured that every contribution got the attention it deserved. Looking back at the event, it is clear that the standard of organic chemistry is high in Europe and these motivated and talented group leaders I met during the workshop guarantee that the field will continue to flourish.

Petra Vasko
Academy Research Fellow
University of Helsinki