Science is a global endeavor, but traveling across the planet for conferences is a resource intensive activity, producing a large amount of CO2 emissions. In addition, international scientific conferences are often organized in the Global North, making it expensive and bureaucratically difficult for people in the Global South to attend, reducing democratic access to science. Virtual conferences offer a viable alternative: they reduce environmental impact, broaden participation across countries, and improve accessibility for researchers with disabilities or caregiving responsibilities. At the same time, in-person interactions remain essential for building community and fostering collaboration.

MEEHubs offers a hybrid model that combines the strengths of both approaches: remote content for global accessibility and in-person interactions through local hubs worldwide. Building on the success of MEEHubs2024 (link to paper), we are thrilled to announce that MEEHubs2026 will take place from August 3–5, 2026, at seven local hubs and online.