500 Attendees at ISMC2025

by Benoit Loppinet, IESL FORTH, Greece

The 9th International Soft Matter Conference 2025 took place from September 29 to October 3 in Chania, Crete, Greece. The event was attended by 500 soft matter scientists from a large number of institutions, primarily European but also American or Asian. The scientific programme of the conferencehad been developed under the guidance of the International Advisory Committee, which had identified a broad spectrum of topics within the field of Soft Matter Science. Session organisers were subsequently appointed to oversee each topic.

The programme extended over four and a half days, beginning on Monday and concluding on Friday, and comprised oral presentations and poster sessions. Six invited plenary lecturers each addressed major trends in Soft Matter Science. A total of 280 presentations were delivered within four parallel sessions, including 32 keynote talks, given by leading experts. More than 200 posters were presented over two two-day sessions. This comprehensive programme provided participants with a good overview of current developments, promoting dialogue and collaboration across the international Soft Matter community.

The SoftComp network played a significant role in the event, with members involved at every level — from the International Advisory Committee and session organisers to keynote speakers and general participants. In his opening remarks, Professor Dieter Richter, Forschungszentrum Jülich the founder and first coordinator of SoftComp, reflected on the connection between the 2025 conference and the very first ISMC in 2007. He highlighted how SoftComp laid the groundwork for this conference, which has now grown into a regular, global meeting point for the Soft Matter community. SoftComp’s presence underscored its lasting impact in building collaborations, advancing research, and strengthening the international network of scientists working in Soft Matter Science.

The range of disciplines represented was extensive, spanning from fluid mechanics to biomaterials, with the polymer and colloid fields. Both experimental and theoretical approaches were well covered, reflecting the diversity and depth of the community. The success of the ISMC clearly demonstrated the dynamism and vitality of Soft Matter Science as a field.

More information: ISMC 2025Website