3rd FORTHEM international conference: Democratic & Responsible Bio Innovation

FORTHEM international conference

^{March 11-13, 2026}

This conference brings together researchers and practitioners from biosciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and education to co‑create responsible, democratic, and sustainable innovation for Europe. We invite contributions that connect cutting‑edge science with ethics, inclusion, governance, and societal impact, drawing inspiration from the FORTHEM Alliance’s efforts to connect worlds of science and society.

Democratic & Responsible Bio‑Innovation — aligning bio‑tech breakthroughs with ethics, safety, sustainability, and security.

We particularly welcome transdisciplinary work, co‑authorship, external to the FORTHEM interventions and submissions that pair scientific advances with social sciences and humanities analysis.

We invite submissions on but not limited to the following topics:

1. AI‑Driven Biosciences & Ethical Autonomy — algorithmic transparency, bias, and autonomy in genomics, diagnostics, and drug discovery.
2. Bioconvergence & Resilient Innovation Ecosystems — inclusive governance for biology × engineering × digital convergence.
3. Sustainable Bioeconomy & Nature‑Based Solutions — circular biotech, algae‑based fuels, waste‑to‑resource systems, environmental justice.
4. Next‑Gen Therapies & Fair Health Innovation — equity, long‑term safety, and regulation of gene editing, mRNA, and cell‑based therapies.
5. Green, Safe & Digital Laboratories — sustainable lab infrastructures, automation, and risk management in digital transitions.
6. Microbiome & Multi‑Omics in Health, Food & Environment — ethics, regulation, and public trust for multi‑omics data.
7. Coastal & Environmental Security in a Warming Europe — marine biotech, biodiversity monitoring, community resilience.
8. One Health, Pandemic Preparedness & Biosecurity — risk literacy, global health diplomacy, and antimicrobial resistance.

Reflecting FORTHEM’s commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers the conference will include dedicated cross-disciplinary sessions for Early-Stage Researchers under the theme “Emerging Research, Emerging Researchers".

In line with the ongoing European policy discussions the conference will create space to explore new academic pathways, collaboration models, and the evolving role of researchers in society through a special session on “Rethinking Research Careers.”

The conference will also include a poster session, providing an opportunity for researchers - especially Early-Stage Researchers - to present emerging ideas, ongoing work, and exploratory research.

WEDNESDAY, March 11

08.45-10.00 CET/09.45-11.00 EET

Opening ceremony

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/310472210777?p=UB11ftYDkDunp7I2EJ 

Meeting ID: 310 472 210 777 

Passcode: hW6jv9KH

10.15-12.45 CET/11.15-13.45 EET

AI Driven Biosciences & Ethical Autonomy

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35214905926348?p=i47MshwZS7MhZlSIez 

Meeting ID: 352 149 059 263 48 

Passcode: GF2bp7C6

13.00-15.10 CET/14.00-16.10 EET

Green, Safe & Digital Laboratories

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/34733866304617?p=pfkQ0eGRVltHmdgtvN 

Meeting ID: 347 338 663 046 17 

Passcode: Rb7tK9Dh

THURSDAY, March 12

10.00-11.10 CET/11.00-12.10 EET

Microbiome & Multi Omics in Health, Food

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/38623438398922?p=NuCzp9vPtYeVJhyzlc

Meeting ID: 386 234 383 989 22 

Passcode: sD6Tj3dr

13.00-14.30 CET/14.00-15.30 EET

Coastal & Environmental Security in a Warming Europe

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/38724013190900?p=q3Hei8Xq7zC3DKwYN6

Meeting ID: 387 240 131 909 00 

Passcode: 8Pj7VR6c

14.00-16.10 CET/15.00-17.10 EET

Sustainable Bioeconomy & Nature Based Solutions

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/32143309970615?p=cy6qGdEsuyJ2bkWZ94 

Meeting ID: 321 433 099 706 15 

Passcode: f47qb7qw

FRIDAY, March 13

10.00-13.00 CET/11.00-14.00 EET

Bioconvergence & Resilient Innovation Ecosystems

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/34125549852684?p=lSNPHCHvslc4z4XHxT 

Meeting ID: 341 255 498 526 84 

Passcode: 2nT2yT7C