I will be a plenary speaker at ESCAIDE 2026 in Stockholm, held in person and online on 18 to 20 November 2026.
This is the premier European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology, stewarded by a Scientific Committee and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. This year is its 20th edition.
I’m speaking in Plenary C, “Communication to (re)build trust in science”, on Thursday 19 November, 09:00 to 10:30 CET. The session is chaired by Tyra Grove Krause (Statens Serum Institut) and Koen Blot (Sciensano). I’m in very good company. Anders Hviid will speak about publishing research in a sensitive political environment, and Steven Van Gucht about his years as Belgium’s federal COVID-19 spokesperson.
My contribution will discuss the work that happens before a crisis. People who distrust the political system tend to distrust science as well, so communication can address only part of the politicization of health. Preparedness plans rarely say how communication and action will adapt together during a crisis. They also tend to not address Gen Z and Gen Alpha, communities at higher risk, and people our usual channels don’t reach. The relationships and listening that make adaptation possible have to be in use long before a crisis.
Online attendance is free. Registration stays open until the conference starts: register on the ESCAIDE website.
Two days earlier, I’m co-moderating the Misinformation Olympics pre-conference workshop with ECDC colleagues.