Programme

Help us kick-starting the annual meeting of the German and Scandinavian Physiological Societies! We, the Young Physiologists of the German Physiological Society, are hosting a pre-symposium designed for early-career researchers (and friends). This time, our focus is on science communication: While we were all thoroughly trained in the methods we use in daily lab life, a core skill that is rarely taught explicitly is scientific storytelling. We want to address this topic by providing you with new impulses that help you to pitch your findings in a way that sticks to the head of your audience.

We will start our session with an invited talk by Dr. Georg Hafner, who holds more than a decade of experience in scientific research, coordination, and writing, and shares the key insights he gained throughout his career. His talk will demonstrate why presentations are an excellent tool for reflecting on your own research agenda and offer strategies for structuring content, crafting a compelling message, and designing visually engaging PowerPoint slides that support clear ideas.

Following this impulse lecture, we will set the stage for you: Within the following hour, we will listen to five talks by early career researchers. While taking a journey through the world of physiology, we will keep in mind what we just learned about science communication, and everybody is invited to reflect not only on the conclusions supported by the data, but also on the way the stage was set for the data. Early career talks will be abstract-selected from the participants of our pre-symposium and can be submitted via e-mail to yp.flow2026@gmail.com by June, 30th.

Why should I submit an abstract to the Young Physiologist Symposium? If selected, you will be able to share your science and sharpen your presentation skills, while receiving feedback on both of these in a safe environment.

How long are the talks? Each talk is intended to last 10 minutes, with an additional 2 minutes for questions from the audience.

Which format should my talk be? While you are welcome to practice your skills and share your science with a conventional talk, you can also use this opportunity to try out something different, for example the implementation of engaging digital tools, give two five-minute talks in different styles, or use your slot for anything else that comes up to your mind.

How should my abstract be structured? Submissions should contain the title of your talk, your name, and your affiliation. Your abstract should not exceed 250 words and provide a brief background, methods, results, and conclusions of your study. Furthermore, you are welcome to add information on whether this will be a conventional talk, or whether you want to try a new format.

What’s in for me? Finally, to further motivate you, we will have an anonymous voting, and the most voted speaker will be awarded a slot to present your work during the last day of the main congress (12 min + 3 minutes for questions)! So don’t let this opportunity to present your latest work to a large audience pass!

What’s happening beyond science? After wrapping up the educative part of the day, we will move on to the relaxing part of the evening and finish the night with some networking. We are currently organizing an adequate location to have food and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere (on a pay on your own basis). As Georg will also join us, speakers will have the possibility to approach him and get some personal feedback on their talks.

For further information please contact us via yp.flow2026@gmail.com

Until 16:15: Arrival, registration (UKE campus)

16:15-16:30: Welcome, introduction

16:30-17:15: Presentation by Georg Hafner

17:15-18:15: Pitch talks of Young Physiologists

From 18:30: Joint walk to dinner/networking