EFP 2026

Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are at the heart of the European Federation of Primatology (EFP) conference. In agreement with the EFP Board, EDI is now an official EFP Committee. At each conference, we will highlight one major EDI topic in order to promote reflection, discussion, and concrete action within our community.

For the 2026 conference, we have chosen one of the most visible —and yet still deeply challenging— topics: Gender in Primatology. This is not a theme we consider “resolved,” nor is it limited to a single perspective. On the contrary, it deserves continued attention and collective effort.

Our goals this year are to:

• Highlight the contributions of women in primatology and the historical and contemporary inequities they face,
• Address the gender-based challenges linked to career progression, fieldwork, leadership, and visibility,
• Celebrate the full diversity of gender identities within our community,
• Encourage critical reflection on inclusivity, diversity, and the acceptability of all genders in primatology.

In collaboration with the local EFP 2026 Organising Committee, EFP Board members, and colleagues from other scientific societies, we have developed a Code of Conduct, available on this page. This Code outlines our shared commitment to respect, safety, and professional behaviour throughout the conference.

To further promote inclusivity and ensure that EFP 2026 is a safe space for all participants, we have also set up an anonymous reporting form. We strongly encourage its use if you are a victim of or witness to inappropriate behaviour. Your well-being and safety matter.

Moreover, members of our EDI team are available for logistical or emergency help in French, Portuguese, Spanish, and German. Look for the flags on badges if you need a translation or a friendly chat in your native language.

Finally, we have set up a Discord Digital Hub: A server will be available to coordinate lunches and tours, or answer doubts or questions related to the conference.

Across the week, we have organised several EDI-focused events designed to support connection, collaboration, and community-building among participants at all career stages:

• Monday - Plenary Lecture
  A plenary lecture by Prof Patrícia Izar (University of São Paulo), highlighting her work to advance ethics, diversity, and inclusivity within primatology.
• Tuesday – Pongo Bingo: Early Career Networking Event
  This evening is designed to help build connections between early-career researchers, particularly those attending the conference without prior connections or an existing professional network. Our aim is to create a welcoming and supportive environment that makes the conference experience more enjoyable and helps reduce some of the stress or uncertainty that can come with attending as an ECR or first-time conference participant. While the event is intended to be informal and relaxed, we will provide a structured Bingo activity to encourage conversation and facilitate meaningful interactions that can continue throughout the conference.
• Wednesday – Paths & Perspectives: Connecting Across Career Stages
  This evening is designed to create meaningful connections across career stages in primatology. Rather than traditional “networking,” the aim is to foster open, reciprocal conversations within which early career and more established researchers can share experiences, perspectives, and practical insights. Everyone here brings valuable knowledge to the table. This event is an opportunity to learn from one another, reflect on varied career paths, and build connections that may continue beyond the conference.

In addition, an EDI poster will be displayed during the conference, presenting key information and data related to gender in primatology and current challenges facing our field.

Beyond these specific events, we are working throughout the conference on initiatives to:

• Improve EDI practices in primatology,
• Make the diversity within our community more visible,
• Promote meaningful interactions and collaborations across institutions, countries, and career stages,
• Ensure that the conference becomes fertile ground for future scientific and human connections.

We warmly invite all participants to take part in this collective effort.
If you have ideas, suggestions, or initiatives that you believe should be implemented, please do not hesitate to contact us at: edi4efp@gmail.com.

Together, we aim to make EFP 2026 a conference that is not only scientifically stimulating, but also inclusive, respectful, and supportive of the full diversity of the primatology community.