We are delighted to announce that following last year’s successful event the New Phytologist Editor-in-Chief symposium will return for a one-day meeting, 'Collections through time: legacy and innovation'.
At its most basic level, scientific research is underpinned by observation, questioning, and the careful collection of data and materials to inform and test these.
The collection of data and materials varies from study to study, but those working in the plant sciences are fortunate to have access to a huge variety of collections; from living collections in botanic gardens and arboreta, to large-scale collaborative databases, and the rich historical archives of museums and herbaria.
These collections continue to yield fresh insights, with researchers returning to them in innovative ways to address emerging questions and challenges. New Phytologist is proud to publish many such studies that demonstrate the enduring and evolving value of these resources.
The 2026 New Phytologist Editor-in-Chief symposium will celebrate this work, bringing together researchers whose studies draw on collections in all their forms. We warmly invite contributions and participation in this one-day symposium in Tartu, Estonia.
The New Phytologist Editor-in-Chief Symposia aim to provide an annual forum for researchers to share their work across the full breadth of topics within the scope of New Phytologist. For any enquiries, please contact Sam Smyth at np-events@lancaster.ac.uk
Join our events mailing list to receive updates and further information.
Places at this symposium are limited to 100 people. Register early to secure your place.
All attendees of New Phytologist Foundation events are expected to adhere to the events code of conduct.
Registration rates:
Early Bird Regular (Full Registration): €70
Regular (Full Registration): €75
Student (Full Registration): €65
Regular (Day only): €35
Student (Day only): €25
Evening only Registration: €40
Full registration includes:
Access to all daytime sessions
Lunch and refreshment breaks as per the schedule
End of day drinks reception
Attendance at the symposium dinner on Friday 3 July
Day only registration includes:
Access to all daytime sessions
Lunch and refreshment breaks as per the schedule
End of day drinks reception
Evening registration includes:
Attendance at the symposium dinner on Friday 3 July and access to the poster exhibition.
Early bird rates will apply until 15 May 2026
No accommodation is included with registration.
Waiting list
Places are limited. If the symposium reaches capacity, interested delegates will be able to join a waiting list. Should a place become available, you will be contacted with details on how to register and pay the symposium registration fee.
Payment options
Our preferred payment method is for delegates to pay by card at the point of registration, or to generate an invoice link so that a third party (e.g. a finance team or administrator) can make the payment by card.
If payment by card is not possible, an offline invoice can be generated on request for payment via bank transfer. In this case, please provide the name and email address of the person responsible for settling the invoice.
Invoices must be paid within 30 days or the delegate’s place may be cancelled and offered to someone on the waiting list.
Cancellation policy
If a delegate is no longer able to attend, they should notify The New Phytologist Foundation by emailing np-events@lancaster.ac.uk. Delegates may either transfer their registration to another attendee or request a refund, provided this is done at least 14 days before the symposium.
For payments made via offline invoice/bank transfer, a €10 administrative fee will be deducted from any refund.
If a delegate who is scheduled to present a poster and is unable to attend, they may request that a co-author present the poster on their behalf. In such cases, the registration can be transferred to the co-author.
In the event that circumstances beyond our control require the symposium to be cancelled, The New Phytologist Foundation cannot accept liability for any additional costs incurred, including travel expenses. Delegates are therefore strongly advised to take out appropriate travel insurance to cover potential cancellations.
Delegates are encouraged to submit an abstract to be considered for an oral or poster presentation.
We have limited poster exhibition/programme space, and expect the process to be competitive. Preference will be given to new, unpublished, or recently published work.
Each presenting author is limited to one abstract submission, but there is no limit on how many times someone can be listed as co-author. Should an abstract be selected for inclusion, the presenting author will need to register to attend before their inclusion in the programme is confirmed.
Abstract submission deadline: 15 May 2026
Oral and poster presentation decisions will be confirmed early in June.
Abstract guidelines
All abstract sections should be provided in English.
The main text should provide concise details of the background and objective(s) of the investigation, methods used, results and conclusion.
Abstract text should be no more than 200 words.
Abstract submissions are done on the Oxford Abstract submission portal. If you do not already have an account, you will need to create a free account.
For further advice on submitting an abstract please visit Oxford Abstracts' guidance for submitters page. You can also contact The New Phytologist Foundation for assistance by emailing np-events@lancaster.ac.uk.
Fee waivers
We have a limited number of fee waivers available.
PhD candidates and early career researchers with less than 5 years of experience post-PhD can apply for a fee waiver.
Fee waivers will be awarded based on the scientific merit of the abstract submitted.
To apply for a fee waiver, in addition to your abstract, you should submit:
A brief (no more than 200 words) statement indicating your reasons for wishing to attend and how you hope the meeting will enhance your career/research.
A CV, which includes academic details, publication history, presentations given, awards, and any other information to support your application.
You can also contact The New Phytologist Foundation if you have any questions regarding fee waivers by emailing np-events@lancaster.ac.uk.
John Davison, University of Tartu, Estonia
Hanna Hõrak, University of Tartu, Estonia
Maarja Öpik, University of Tartu, Estonia
Zigmunds Orlovskis, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Latvia
Tanel Vahter, University of Tartu, Estonia
Invited speakers
Speakers will be selected from submitted abstracts, and further invited speakers will be announced soon.
More information coming soon. Sign up to our events mailing list to be among the first to receive updates.
Collections through time: legacy and innovation will take place at the Oecologicum, at the University of Tartu, Estonia from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm on Friday 3 July 2026. Oral presentations and flash talks will take place in the main lecture hall, room 127. Posters will be displayed throughout the Oecologicum.
Address: J. Liivi str 2, 50409, Tartu, Estonia.
The Oecologicum is a 10–20-minute walk from most city centre hotels.
Getting to Estonia
Tallinn Airport has regular flights to and from many European cities. Regular ferries run between Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm. For up-to-date advice about traveling to Estonia via plane, ferry, bus, train or car, please see the Visit Estonia website.
Getting to Tartu
Finnair operates a direct flight between Tartu Airport and Helsinki. If you are first arriving into Estonia in Tallinn, you can reach Tartu by bus or train. Further details are on the visit Tartu website.
Buses from Tallinn Airport to Tartu, operated by Lux Express Estonia AS, depart regularly. These buses depart from Tallinn bus terminal, stopping at Tallinn Airport before continuing to Tartu. We recommend you purchase your ticket in advance, as these buses can be busy. You can purchase tickets from Tpilet, or directly from Lux Express. The trip from Tallinn to Tartu takes approximately 2.5 hours. Discounts are available for pre-booked tickets. Please ensure you select the correct pick-up point when purchasing your ticket.
From Tallinn city centre, in addition to the bus, there is a regular train service to Tartu. Express trains take about 2 hours. These trains can get busy, and it's not always possible to book a seat.
Tartu bus station is located in the city centre. Tartu train station is located approximately 1.5km to the west of the city centre.
Collections through time: legacy and innovation will take place at the Oecologicum, at the University of Tartu, Estonia
Address: J. Liivi str 2, 50409, Tartu, Estonia.
The symposium will run from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm on 3 July 2025, followed by a drinks reception. The evening participants can join the group for dinner at Vilde ja Vine restaurant from 7.00 pm.
15 May
Early bird registration closes
Abstract submission deadline
Poster and Speaker competition
Prizes will be awarded for the best speaker and the best poster. The committee will select the winners, with prizes of 200 EUR for the top poster and top talk, and 100 EUR for each runner-up.
It is the delegate’s responsibility to check the entry requirements for their nationality. The EU is currently rolling out a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay.
Further information is at the EES website.
Applying for a visa
Estonia is part of the Schengen Area. Please read further information about Schengen visas and check with the Republic of Estonia Embassy in your country for details on visa requirements and the application process.
Passport validity requirements
Estonia follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue).
Please ensure you have checked whether you require a visa to enter the Schengen area (see 'Visas and entry to the Schengen area'). The New Phytologist Foundation can supply a letter of invitation to support a visa application once the delegate has registered and paid their full registration fee.
You can request a visa invitation letter when registering, and you will then be sent a secure form to provide your passport information.
We strongly recommend that all attendees have appropriate travel insurance for their trip, including cancellation cover and medical insurance. We encourage you to check if travel insurance is provided by your university/institution.
Day delegates will receive lunch, two coffee breaks and an end of day drinks reception at the Oecologicum, University of Tartu.
Please provide any dietary requirements, including food allergies or intolerances when registering.
Delegates registered for the full Symposium also receive dinner at Vilda ja Vine. Delegates should select their menu choices when registering.
Delegates are responsible for booking their own accommodation.
Visit Tartu has details of accommodation options in Tartu.