On 16 April 2026 early-career researchers, clinicians, and students met in Helsingør, Denmark, for two days of scientific exchange, discussion, and networking. Organised by the ReproYoung network, the conference highlighted the strength of a growing community of young researchers working across disciplines in reproductive health.
A defining feature of the conference was the close interaction between early-career and senior researchers, and included a special talk by Eva Hoffmann, Prorector for Research and Innovation at the University of Copenhagen. She spoke about research and innovation in reproduction, highlighting the importance of strong research environments and long-term investment in talent. Eva also mentioned how ReproUnion has supported this for more than a decade and she further commented on LinkedIn: “What a wonderful conference – delighted to see how ReproYoung has grown and how dedicated senior and junior members are. This promises well for the future for reproductive health research and clinical care.”
The programme reflected the breadth of reproductive medicine, covering female and male fertility, early disease detection, and the links between reproductive health and long-term outcomes. The theme of inequality was embedded throughout the programme – from the opening session on social inequality in fertility care and access to treatment, to discussions on age limits in fertility treatment and disparities in contraception.
Day 2 opened with a session on social freezing, which explored whether egg freezing for non-medical reasons may help address or reinforce inequality. The panel brought together clinical, ethical, and personal perspectives, highlighting the complexity of balancing technological possibilities with questions of access, choice, communication, and societal responsibility.
Interactive formats such as ReproWalk poster sessions further strengthened dialogue across disciplines, giving early-career researchers a central role in presenting and discussing their findings.
What began as an effort to re-ignite ReproYoung in 2023 has developed into a strong and self-driven community capable of mobilising support, building partnerships, and delivering a full-scale scientific conference.
ReproYoung plays an important role in strengthening collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and generations. By creating space for early-career researchers to lead and engage, the initiative helps build a stronger, more connected foundation for the future of reproductive health research.
