This month’s Youth-GEMs Science Café reminded us that meaningful collaboration isn’t always about presentations or outcomes, sometimes it’s about creating space for genuine conversation.
Our original plan was to discuss the progress of the YG narrative study, in which young people’s experiences with mental health are being explored across six European countries. However, with a smaller group than expected and the study still in the midst of analysis, we decided to postpone the presentation until a later session, when more participants can join and share their perspectives.
Instead, the evening became an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, reconnect as a community, and celebrate one of our Young Experts, who attended her final Science Café before embarking on a new chapter. Through nice icebreakers, conversations about everyday life, and fascinating exchanges of knowledge (from biology to language) we were reminded that curiosity comes in many forms and that everyone brings something unique to the table.
One of the strengths of the Science Café is that it offers an informal setting where researchers, young experts, and professionals can meet as equals. These conversations build trust, spark new ideas, and strengthen the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of Youth-GEMs. They also remind us that research is not only about collecting and analysing data, but about listening, learning from one another, and ensuring that different perspectives shape the work we do.
