The Final Conference marked the conclusion to four years of collaboration under the COST Action TEATIME. The event united 74 participants in person and 113 online and embodied TEATIME’s inclusive and borderless spirit, connecting researchers, industry partners, and funders.
The opening session reflected on TEATIME’s evolution, from a small pandemic-era forum to a thriving international network that has built enduring resources such as the HCM technology catalogue, and TheBehaviourForum.org for peer exchange. Talks and testimonies illustrated how COST funding has nurtured early-career scientists through training, short-term missions, and leadership opportunities. Young Researchers and Innovators from across Europe shared how TEATIME shaped their careers and instilled a culture of open collaboration.
The poster session, featuring 20 posters, fostered lively discussions and cross-disciplinary networking, both in-person and online. Poster prizes went to Young Researchers Andrea Leuthardt, Alice Melloni, Daniela Duarte-Domingues, and Oskar Ikäheimo/Gabriel Peinado Allina. Delegates also enjoyed the launch of the TEATIME-BEST board game, a fun and educational tool promoting best practices in home-cage monitoring.
Throughout the conference, a sense of generosity and connection prevailed. Senior researchers mentored junior colleagues, and participants openly shared methods and data. TEATIME may have ended but its resources and collaborations live on.
Date: September 2-3, 2025
Location: Helsinki, Finland (and online)
