Large conferences can feel energising, overwhelming and oddly impersonal all at once. This interactive session is designed to help you connect with others at the EGU26 General Assembly in ways that feel genuine, confident and human - not forced, awkward or transactional.

Together, we’ll explore how to show up as yourself (not just your CV), build trust quickly in short interactions, and stay present and open even when you’re feeling anxious, tired or overstimulated. Drawing on evidence-based insights from psychology, communication science and nervous-system regulation, this session offers practical tools you can use immediately throughout the General Assembly. You’ll practise simple, structured connection conversations, learn active listening techniques that help others feel genuinely seen and valued, and experiment with grounding strategies that support calm, confident presence in busy conference settings.

By the end of the session, you’ll leave with:

• Greater confidence in starting and sustaining meaningful conversations
• Practical tools to build rapport and psychological safety quickly
• Strategies to stay regulated, present and engaged during the EGU26 General Assembly

Each participant will receive a Connection Compass - a one-page, practical guide with prompts, behaviours and grounding tools to support authentic connection and ease throughout the General Assembly.

Run by: Emma Donnelly, Comm-it: Training & Communication Solutions with Science
Emma Donnelly is a multi-award-winning science communicator, educator, and facilitator with over 25 years experience helping researchers, educators, and organisations share their science with clarity, confidence, and impact. As the founder of Comm-it, Emma designs and delivers dynamic training programs in science communication, leadership, and engagement – blending evidence-based strategies with a deep understanding of how people learn and connect. Her work spans universities, research centres, and industry, and she’s known for making complex ideas stick through storytelling, humour, and heart.

The workshop will take place on Monday 13 April, online, from 10:00 CEST - 11:30 CEST.

The workshop is FREE for EGU members and has been organised as part of the EGU Outreach Committee Peer Support programme.

If you have any questions, please email Roberta Bellini in the EGU Outreach Committee at mentoring@egu.eu.

Need help?

If you have any questions about the workshop "EGU26 Peer Support workshop 1: Authentic connection, trust and presence for the General Assembly", please contact us via webinars@egu.eu.

Workshop

EGU26 Peer Support workshop 1: Authentic connection, trust and presence for the General Assembly

Start time

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00 CEST

Contact

webinars@egu.eu