Information sharing is scientific-and-social caring in the ECTS: “We need you!” - By Andre van Wijnen & Bram van der Eerden

Solutions to exciting scientific problems, as well as the development of new therapies and biomedical products requires good communication to share ideas, perspectives and experiences. Hence, one of the key priorities of the ECTS is to promote good communication between its members, the scientific enterprise and society at large. Within the social network we collectively embody, we wish to achieve this goal by maximizing opportunities for you to receive and disseminate information relevant to our society and profession.

The ECTS at its core is a highly inclusive volunteer organization and the ECTS would like to see you actively participate in our society, which is very transparent and democratic. The ECTS has set up a Communication Committee that creatively manages the principal electronic communication tools among our members, including the ECTS website and ECTS apps, the ECTS e-learning platform which contains webinars, the ECTS newsletter and ECTS social media. In the new normal of the COVID-19 era with social distancing, video group meetings and virtual scientific conferences, these tools have become even more relevant to all of us. Importantly, these tools are designed for you and by you. You are strongly encouraged to contribute and let your ideas be heard.

At present, we are actively discussing plans to revamp the ECTS website and apps, but we are always open to fresh innovative ideas to improve what this website has to offer. Plans to expand the e-learning platform are in full swing to offer additional educational opportunities. The ECTS is ubiquitously present at social media via Twitter with ECTS_society, ECTS_science and ECTS_academy accounts, as well as other social media (e.g., FaceBook, LinkedIn). Interactions on electronic platforms will only increase in importance as our society evolves and we would like to expand these social initiatives in partnership with you and your peers.

At the moment, all our communication efforts are supported by highly motivated ECTS members who volunteer their time and expertise. Any communication tool is only as good as the content it provides. It is therefore important that you seize the opportunity and participate actively to ensure the broadest diversity of opinions and interactions, especially in social media which is the most rapid forum by which we can share within the ECTS.

As we move forward towards an even better society to the benefit of all us, just keep in mind these simple phrases that the ECTS lives by: (i) input from members is welcomed, (ii) everyone’s ideas are being valued and considered, (iii) the ECTS is you and needs you! So, please feel free to reach out to any of us and share your thoughts.

Andre van Wijnen & Bram van der Eerden

Contact information of members of the Communications Committee and related ECTS action groups:

Alex Ireland: A.Ireland@mmu.ac.uk

Andre van Wijnen: vanwijnen.andre@mayo.edu

Antonio Maurizi : antoniomaurizi@outlook.com

Bram van der Eerden: b.vandereerden@erasmusmc.nl

Carmen Huesa: carmen.huesa@ed.ac.uk

Cristiana Cipriani: cristiana.cipriani@gmail.com

Graziana Colaianni: graziana.colaianni@libero.it

Heide Siggelkow: heide.siggelkow@amedes-group.com

Lars Folkestad: lfolkestad@health.sdu.dk

Marco Ponzetti: mp.univaq@gmail.com