ME/CFS

International ME/CFS Conference 2026

Understand, Diagnose, Treat

7-8 May 2026, Harnack House of the Max Planck Society, Berlin Germany

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ME Research UK – Researcher Circle

In 2025, ME Research UK launched its ‘Researcher Circle’, fulfilling the charity’s aim to create an environment to encourage, support and facilitate the entrance and retention of early-career researchers in the field of ME/CFS research.

Centred around knowledge sharing and building links for future collaboration, the Researcher Circle provides:

  • An online space for students to network and learn about each other’s work.
  • An opportunity for skill development through talks given by members of ME Research UK’s staff, from established researchers in the field, and from other relevant experts.
  • A friendly forum to discuss challenges faced, to practise presentations, and to lay the foundations for future careers.

The Circle meets every other month, and alternates between more structured sessions with a speaker followed by time for questions and discussion, and informal ‘catch-ups’ which aim to provide a friendly forum to network and share relevant knowledge, to discuss progress and challenges faced, and to practise presentations. You can read more about the previous sessions here:

  • June 2026: Dr Alkisti Manousaki – Daphne Jackson Fellow at Leicester University, co-funded by ME Research UK and the Medical Research Council – spoke to the group about fellowship applications.
  • April 2026: Coffee and catch up session covering topics including predatory journals and career progression options.
  • February 2026: At this session, Dr Emma Slack, Science Writer and Research Engagement Officer at ME Research UK, spoke to members about ways to work well and stay motivated during your PhD.
  • September 2025: Coffee and catch-up session covering topics including writing papers, and the challenges faced when deciding where to publish an article and during the peer review process.
  • July 2025: Professor Faisel Khan – one of ME Research UK’s Trustees, and Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences and Associate Dean (International) at the University of Dundee – and Dr Emma Slack – Science Writer and Research Engagement Officer at ME Research UK – discussed career planning and skill development.

Who can join the Researcher Circle? Although initially aimed at PhD students working on research funded by the charity, the Researcher Circle is now open to all PhD students and early career researchers (ECRs). For the purposes of this group, ECR swill be defined as those who are within the first 5 years post-PhD award or part-time equivalent, and excluding career breaks such as parental leave, working in the field of biomedical ME/CFS research. There is no geographical restriction on entry to the group.

How to join the Researcher Circle? If you would like to sign up to the group, please get in touch with Emma Slack, Science Writer and Research Engagement Officer at ME Research UK, by emailing: emma@meresearch.org.uk.

Researcher Circle Guest Blog: ME Research UK has also created a guest blog for members of the Circle to submit a post on a topic related to ME/CFS research. Not only does writing a post for the blog offer a chance for CV development, but also for the early career researchers to expand skills in areas including:

  • Research communication: The ability to convey complex scientific information clearly and accurately to a wide range of audiences.
  • Research and organisation: To write an interesting piece, the researchers must be able to research the relevant topic(s) and organise the information logically.
  • Infographic design: Should the researchers choose to, there will be the opportunity to distil information presented in their article into an infographic, utilising skills in creativity, attention to detail, data visualisation, and design.

Feedback from the group has been positive:

“I think things like this are really, really great… Being able to meet researchers that are in the same field, and being able to set up links for potential collaborations… I guess I just wanted to say thanks to ME Research UK!” Tina Katsaros, La Trobe University

“Sharing tips on staying motivated through a PhD reminded me we’re never doing this alone. Even across countries and time zones, it’s inspiring to come together, support each other and grow as a community. Thank you ME Research UK for making this possible.” Jente Van Campenhout, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

“Thank you for organising! I found it helpful to get wisdom and insight from others who are also completing a PhD in ME/CFS research. It’s lovely to have the opportunity to meet other researchers from all around the world and hear about their work.” Gemma Samms, University of Edinburgh

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