10 Years of MCAA: Past, Present, and Future / 18.03.2024

Cathrine Terro from the Department of Environmental Sciences attended the recent Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) Annual Conference. This conference celebrated MCAA’s 10th anniversary held from March 14th to 16th, 2024, hosted in Milan.

The event served as a platform for scholars, researchers, and professionals to convene and reminisce over a decade of scientific achievement, collaboration, and innovation. Over the years, the MCAA has played a crucial role in fostering connections among Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellows, alumni, and researchers.

The opening ceremony established an inspiring tone for the conference, featuring speeches and reflections on MCAA's growth. Throughout the event, plenary sessions explored various topics such as shaping the future of European R&I, the value and future of alumni organizations, and reflections on the past 10 years, providing a comprehensive overview of MCAA's impact and aspirations. Parallel sessions offered a diverse range of topics, including narrative CVs, experiences of MSCA fellows outside Europe, achieving inclusive family and career balance, funding opportunities within MSCA doctoral networks, science communication, and ethics in research.

As a new member of the MCAA,  Cathrine had the privilege of establishing new connections and networking with fellow attendees, including academics, industry professionals, while introducing the FoodTraNet project and her research conducted at the Jožef Stefan Institute. What set this conference apart was its focus on more than just presentations; it emphasized fostering meaningful connections, sparking innovation, and making a lasting impression.