It’s my pleasure to introduce the first ESTSS newsletter of 2026.
At the close of last year, I reflected that positively improving the lives of those in need is a driving force for so many of us across our wide community. As this year brings more challenges in the world, I reaffirm that our thoughts are with those affected by new and ongoing conflict and trauma across the globe. In a time of insecurity and unpredictability, maintaining our Society’s principles and values promoting international cross-cultural cooperation, academic rigour, and evidence-based practice is more important than ever. To this end, I wish to highlight the work of the UKPTS who have compiled a short hub for resources on how to cope with ongoing conflicts, in response to events in the Middle East: ukpts.org/conflicts.
However, the official start of Spring also heralds increased light and renewed growth, and an opportunity to look forward to the future. Our brilliant Future Leadership Group have successfully launched their ‘Talks on Psychotrauma’ podcast series. I encourage all members to support the FLG by spreading the word, and of course subscribing to receive new episodes as they are released each month. Our long-awaited new website will also launch in the coming weeks, so look out for updates.
I am delighted to report that preparations for ESTSS 2027 in Coimbra, Portugal are continuing apace; please do keep visiting estss2027.com for updates. Our biennial conference continues to showcase the very best of the ESTSS family, and are a significant calendar highlight for the global traumatic stress community. We have also recently opened bids to host our 20th European Conference on Traumatic Stress in 2029. More information for interested Member or Affiliated Societies can be found in the newsletter and on our website.
Finally, please remember that the ESTSS is your place to come together, publicise and share the best of our community. Please do get in touch to tell us what your Society has and will be doing in the coming months.
Prof. Dominic Murphy
ESTSS President (2025-2026)
