In this letter addressed to researchers and practitioners planning to attend our Annual Conference, Professor Chris Pascal, expresses her joy at the prospect of reconnecting with friends and colleagues. She highlights the importance of critical and rigorous dialogue across all divides in light of current global challenges. She also expresses solidarity and support for all of our EECERA colleagues from conflict ridden situations who live daily with the tragedy. She stresses EECERA's commitment to freedom of speech, with respect and tolerance, and condemns discrimination or intimidation against delegates.

Many thanks to all the organisations supporting EECERA 2024. Please visit their stands during the exhibition times at Brighton Dome.

EECERA and our local hosts have worked hard to reduce the environmental impact of this conference in a number of different ways, from the choice of the venue with its eco-credentials, through the use of the conference app in place of printed programme books, to the way we have reduced the use of single use plastics.