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OVERVIEW

Our Mission

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee promotes high-quality education in biochemistry and molecular biology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ area. We act as a catalyst for innovation in teaching and learning in the molecular life sciences, setting standards, building communities, and supporting educators at every career stage.

What we do

1. Advance educator excellence: We provide leadership and professional development opportunities that strengthen the knowledge, skills, and pedagogical practice of educators in the molecular life sciences.
2. Champion innovative teaching: We actively encourage and disseminate innovative teaching methods, evidence-based approaches, and emerging educational technologies, including digital tools and AI.
3. Organise impactful events: From our biennial ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Conference and ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Academy certified modules to joint workshops with Constituent Societies and Education Award, we deliver a rich portfolio of educational events across Europe.
4. Build a pan-European network: Through our Education Ambassadors programme — with a nominated representative in each of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Constituent Societies — we foster collaboration, exchange of good practices, and joint educational initiatives across the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ area.
5. Fund educational initiatives: We distribute grants to Constituent Societies to support high-quality, innovative education events at national and institutional level.
6. Shape the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Congress programme: We contribute dedicated education and training sessions to each ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Congress, ensuring that pedagogical development remains integral to the Federation’s flagship scientific gatherings.

Shaping the future of molecular life sciences education

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee is the driving force behind educational excellence across Europe and neighbouring regions in biochemistry and molecular biology. Connecting educators, trainers, and learners through a pan-European network of 39 ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Constituent Societies, we champion innovative teaching, evidence-based practice, and the continuous professional development of educators, from the undergraduate classroom to the frontiers of postgraduate training. Whether through our flagship biennial Conference, certified Academy modules, society-supported workshops, or our network of Education Ambassadors, we are committed to transforming how molecular life sciences are taught, learned, and experienced across generations.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Events

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee supports a range of activities to meet its objectives. Please also visit the Education events page for specific details on upcoming and recent ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education events.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Joint Workshops

These workshops of up to two days are co-organised between ¹û¶³´«Ã½ and a Constituent Society to promote high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate education in the molecular life sciences across the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ area. They can cover a variety of topical issues, including active learning strategies, assessment and feedback, digital literacy skills, supervision and mentoring.

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee works closely with the host Society to shape the programme according to identified local and regional training needs. ¹û¶³´«Ã½ provides funding to cover speaker travel and accommodation, while the host Society is expected to meet the costs of the venue and catering (including coffee breaks and meals) in full or in part.

Constituent Societies interested in hosting a Joint Workshop should have the Society President (or the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Ambassador for the Society together with the President) contact Prof. Ferhan G. ³§²¹ÄŸÄ±²Ô, Chair, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee, via the Contact section of the website.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Supported Society Education Events

¹û¶³´«Ã½ offers up to €2,000 to support up to four in-person education events a year organized by members of ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Constituent Societies, such as an education session at the Society’s national congress, or face-to-face training. In the case of online courses, the support is up to €750. The main organizers can be any member of the Society.

Each year there are two calls: 15 December for events taking place ´³²¹²Ô³Ü²¹°ù²â–J³Ü²Ô±ð of the following year, and 15 June for events taking place ´³³Ü±ô²â–D±ð³¦±ð³¾²ú±ð°ù of the current year. Applications for this funding must be made to the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee via this application form. See recent events at the Events page.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training at other events

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee contributes to the broader ¹û¶³´«Ã½ scientific calendar beyond its own dedicated events. Education sessions are regularly included in the programme of each ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Congress, sometimes delivered jointly with other organisations, ensuring that pedagogical development remains a visible and valued part of the Federation’s flagship gatherings.

Committee members may also contribute to education-related discussions at other ¹û¶³´«Ã½-supported events such as the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Young Scientists’ Forum and the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Advanced Courses.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Ambassadors

Launched in 2016, the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Ambassadors programme is a unique pan-European initiative in which each ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Constituent Society nominates an educator to represent their country and contribute to a collaborative network dedicated to advancing molecular life sciences education.

Ambassadors play an active role in promoting ¹û¶³´«Ã½ education initiatives, sharing insights and resources, and strengthening connections between national and international communities. They meet regularly, both online and in person, to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and develop joint actions that enhance teaching and learning across the region.

This growing network provides a valuable space for inspiration, collaboration, and mutual support, empowering educators across the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ area to actively shape the future of molecular life sciences education.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Conference

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Conference is a biennial event in molecular life sciences education, bringing together senior and junior scientists and educators from around the world to share expertise, exchange ideas, and explore new approaches to teaching and learning.

Built on three core pillars, Innovate, Educate, Empower, the conference offers a rich and welcoming forum to address the evolving challenges of molecular life sciences education, from technological transformation and artificial intelligence to active learning, assessment, wellbeing, and career development.

The programme combines plenary lectures, panel discussions, invited talks, hands-on workshops, short presentations, and poster sessions, alongside certified ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Academy modules.

2026 edition
The 2026 conference takes place on 25–29 March in Kuşadası, İzmir, Türkiye, focusing on topics such as wellbeing in education, innovation in teaching practices, the integration of artificial intelligence, and career and professional development in the life sciences.

2024 | Inaugural Conference, Antalya, Türkiye
The was held in 20-23 March 2024 in Antalya, Türkiye, the first event of its kind dedicated to molecular life sciences education in Europe. It brought together a diverse international community of educators and resulted in a outlining key challenges, opportunities, and action plans for transforming the field. You can read an overview of the first conference, written by a participant for the l.

2026 | Second Conference, Kuşadası, İzmir, Türkiye
The took place 25–29 March 2026 in Kuşadası, İzmir, Türkiye, with a programme centred on wellbeing in education, innovation in teaching practices, the integration of artificial intelligence, and career and professional development in the life sciences.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and training Academy

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Academy champions excellence and innovation in molecular life sciences by strengthening the educational and mentoring skills of current and future academic staff. It offers interactive, certified workshops designed to upskill educators and empower effective teaching and supervision practices.

Current certified modules include:

1. Bridging Science and Teaching: Active learning strategies for Molecular Life Scientists

2. Building Career-Ready Scientists: Assessing, integrating, and reflecting on transferable skills in science education

3. Maximizing Mentorship Impact: Empower your PhD supervisory skills

Participants gain:
✅ Up-to-date educational knowledge and techniques
✅ Practical resources for improving teaching and supervision
✅ ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Academy Certification
✅ Access to a growing community of trained educators

Universities, institutes or departments that wish to have their staff take one of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Academy modules are welcome to get in touch.
For enquiries, please contact Prof. Ferhan G. ³§²¹ÄŸÄ±²Ô, Chair of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee, via the contact form.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ EDUCATION LECTURE

Launched in Autumn 2023, the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Lecture initiative supports ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Constituent Societies in highlighting innovative, effective, and inspiring approaches to education in biochemistry and molecular biology within their annual national scientific meetings.

Through this scheme, the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee may provide financial support of up to €750 for up to two plenary lectures or keynote talks on education per year, helping to cover speaker travel and accommodation, while the host Society is expected to provide complimentary registration for the lecturer.

By bringing distinguished voices in molecular life sciences education to national congresses across the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ area, this initiative strengthens the visibility of education as a core pillar of the field, supports the training of young scientists, and encourages the exchange of good practices across the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ community.

Constituent Societies wishing to submit a proposal should contact the Chair of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee via the form. Please check the full guidelines for detailed eligibility criteria and application requirements.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Award

On its 60th anniversary year, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ launched the prestigious ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Award to highlight and honour an educator with a distinguished teaching and training career path in the field of molecular life sciences. Exemplary dedication to enhance the quality of student learning and experience along with a track record of applying impactful and innovative approaches in advancing learning and teaching within the realm of molecular life sciences are the main pillars. Through this award, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ not only aims to recognize and celebrate sustained and continued excellence and impact in molecular life sciences education and training but also to inspire others in fostering engaging, creative, and transformative educational experiences for students. Nomination is by a ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Constituent Society or self nomination along with a support letter of the Society.

2026

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Award 2026 is awarded to Professor Luciane Vieira de Mello from the University of Liverpool (UK), recognizing her outstanding contributions to education and training in molecular life sciences. The award will be formally presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 50th ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Congress (4–8 July 2026) in Maastricht. Read the news post about the recipient here.

2025

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Award 2025 is awarded to Professor Yoav Arava from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, recognizing his outstanding contributions to education and training in molecular life sciences. The award will be formally presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 49th ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Congress on July 5th, 2025. Read the news post about the recipient here.

2024

The inaugural recipient of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Award (2024) was Prof. Robert A. Harris, nominated by the Swedish Society for Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (SSBBMB). Read the news post about the recipient here.

An Education section in ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Open Bio

Following a proposal from the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee, the open access journal began a new section devoted to original and valuable publications in biochemical and molecular life sciences education. The overall aim of this initiative is to foster good educational practices, stimulate the development of innovative teaching methods, and disseminate advice on educational techniques and resources. Find further details and recent articles, on the .

Educational research articles submitted to ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Open Bio are exempt from article processing charges (APC).

You can also read the reflection article published after the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Conference, titled: ‘A white paper from the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Conference: challenges, opportunities, and action plans for transforming molecular life sciences education’, available .

Find further details on the .

An Educator channel on the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Network

One section of the  is dedicated to blog-style posts on teaching approaches and resources for lecturers and tutors in the molecular life sciences, as well as announcements on education activities.  If you would like to contribute a post to the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Network Educator channel, please contact [email protected]

Resources and enquiries

For resources from ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education events, please visit the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Platform at: . The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education Platform is maintained by the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee and supplements general information on the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ website, serving to disseminate ¹û¶³´«Ã½ education activities and to share resources.

For enquiries on ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education events (focused on pedagogical issues), please contact Prof. Ferhan G. ³§²¹ÄŸÄ±²Ô, Chair, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Education and Training Committee, via the Contact section of the website. For members of the Education and Training Committee, click here.