ESRS Newsletter April 2026
President's Message April 2026
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we return to the rhythm of spring, here at ESRS we resume our activities following a brief pause over the Easter period. April brings us back to momentum across several fronts, and I would like to update you on recent developments and what lies ahead.
Last month’s Sleep Awareness Month campaign was a great success, with more than 2,400 participants around the world embracing Pyjama Day with enthusiasm and creativity, and over 100,000 people engaging with our content on social media. A particular highlight was the Children’s Drawing Contest, delivered in close collaboration with 11 affiliated National Sleep Societies. The selected drawings will be exhibited at Sleep Europe 2026 in Maastricht, giving children’s voices a place within our scientific community. Beyond the numbers, this campaign represents a conversation about sleep health that is now reaching homes, schools, and public spaces far beyond our academic community. Thank you to our National Sleep Societies and to everyone who took part. Your engagement makes a tangible difference, and we look forward to next year with great anticipation.
The Call for Abstracts for Sleep Europe 2026 closed on 1 April with more than 1,300 submissions, a remarkable response that reflects the depth of research activity across our field. The Scientific Committee is now focused on the review process, and notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent to corresponding authors via email before the end of July 2026.
The Late-Breaking Abstract submission will open on 1 June 2026. Abstracts should contain data or relevant information that was not yet known or available by the normal submission deadline. Further details and submission guidelines will be published closer to the opening date.
Registration for Sleep Europe is open, and I encourage you to secure your place and take advantage of the early-bird rate, available until 28 July. The Preliminary Scientific Programme is also available for your review.
To support your journey to Maastricht, we have now opened our Sustainable Travel Grants. This initiative provides financial support for environmentally conscious travel and accommodation choices (such as travelling by train or sharing accommodation), making the congress more accessible whilst honouring our commitment to sustainable practices. Learn more and apply here.
agues,
Next week, on 14 April, the ESRS Early Career Network is hosting a webinar titled “Beyond the Sleep Lab: Wearables, the Present and the Future of Sleep Research.” This webinar will explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of sleep science, offering fresh perspectives on methodologies that are transforming our field. Registration is open to all, and I encourage you to share this opportunity with colleagues, students, and peers. You can register here.
Next month, the ESRS Board will join the Assembly of National Sleep Societies (ANSS) Executive Committee and National Sleep Society Presidents for the annual ANSS Presidents Meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia. As a former President of a national society myself, this gathering remains a highlight in my ESRS year. It is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the connections between our 34 affiliated national sleep societies and to learn from one another’s contexts and experiences. I look forward to meeting all Presidents and representatives there.
Kind regards,
Erna Sif Arnardóttir
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