E-SWAN Newsletter
PubCom, E-SWAN Newsletter Editor (
Volume 2025 Number 30 - November 7, 2025
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Dear E-SWAN readers,
It was good to meet so many of you again during the ESWW2025 in Umeå this year.
Many of you participated in the E-SWAN General Assembly, where we presented the provisional Annual Report and budget on Wednesday, 29 October. We also approved some modifications to our bylaws and statutes.
Congratulations also to the laureate of the 2025 Space Weather and Space Climate award: Dr. Erika Palmerio (Int. Alexander Chizhevsky medal).
There were a lot of E-SWAN activities during the ESWW, including a TDM, posters, and the booth.
Thank you all for these initiatives. They are highly appreciated, and they show that our community is active and growing.
Enjoy reading this Newsletter.
Stefaan Poedts,
President of E-SWAN
It is with great pleasure that we include here the text of Luca’s closing address delivered at the ESWW2025 closing ceremony.
Good afternoon, everyone.
It is a great pleasure to stand before you to bring the European Space Weather Week 2025 to a close.
What an extraordinary week it has been. Look around. This room is not just full of scientists, engineers, and policymakers. This room is full of the strength of collaboration, full of the enthusiastic energy of breakthrough discovery, and full of a community that is constantly changing how humanity interacts with its own star.
My heartfelt thanks go out to our tireless Audrey and the LOC, to the PC, to the volunteers, to the sponsors, and to every single person who contributed with a poster, a presentation, or a challenging question that pushed the boundaries of our knowledge.
You are the reason why this week is so successful and the ESWW a key international event for SWSC: every year more.
We have spent the week discussing a plethora of topics, but I would like to highlight some.
First, the AI revolution in Space Weather is happening. We saw presentations this week demonstrating how Machine Learning isn't just a research tool anymore: it is becoming an operational necessity. AI is giving us a vital edge in several applications. Our profound ethical responsibility as scientists is to leverage AI, understand its utility thoroughly, and dedicate it to the service of humanity. Critically, we must simultaneously ensure its ethical, conscious, and sustainable implementation for the ultimate benefit of future generations.
Second, Space Weather is not just a space problem, it is an Earth security problem. This week cemented the fact that our research directly underpins global economic and societal stability for a future sustainable, interlinked society.
Third, the importance of polar areas for Space Weather. They are sentinels pointing toward space and the most beautiful natural laboratories we have. But they are delicate environments, and our responsibility is to constantly maintain and preserve them.
Our science is spectacular, but challenges always remain.
We all need sustained funding for observation: The beautiful data we analysed this week came from instruments painstakingly built and maintained. Without continuous, high-fidelity monitoring, our machine learning models are useless, and our operational services are blind.
We are all deemed to harmonised data sharing: The solar maximum is a global event. The Sun doesn't respect borders, and neither should our data. Our response must be global. Space Weather and Space Climate are a laboratory for all humankind where sharing of data and knowledge are of paramount importance. Harmonisation of data means optimising resources and keeping bridges alive among communities.
Always think of public narrative: We are excellent communicators among ourselves, but we must become better advocates for the public. Space weather is complex, yes, but its impact is simple: it affects every person who flies on a plane, or relies on electricity, or uses GNSSs. Our common task is to increase awareness and preparedness for space weather hazards.
In conclusion, as we prepare to leave Umeå and return to our families, our observatories, our labs, and our desks, let us not forget the enthusiasm of these five days.
As I mentioned, the European SWSC community demonstrated again to be very united. Only one thing separated us this week: auroras. Who has seen it? Who has not? I did not. Besides jokes, thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your vital contributions to secure our future in space, and our infrastructure here on Earth.
Before stopping, I want to express my profound gratitude to everyone who is contributing to ensure that E-SWAN remains, like the sacred flame in ancient temples guarded by a Vestal, a fire that is never extinguished: members of the committees, of the working groups and the General Assembly, which is you all.
This commitment ensures that Europe, in our domain, continues to be a crucial bridge that unites science and applications throughout the world. Those who did not get the membership and are willing to do so, please feel free to reach out to us.
Please, also do remember that one of the E-SWAN cornerstones, the Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, is seeking its new Editor in Chief. It is a great opportunity, and you can find all the information in both the Journal and E-SWAN websites.
As an Italian, I would like to dedicate my last words to the Space Weather Italian Community (SWICo), which took the honour and huge responsibility to organise the ESWW in Florence next year. I am so proud of this and let me tell Michele Piana and all the other colleagues: buon lavoro e in bocca al lupo.
Safe travels to all of you.
The Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate (JSWSC) is seeking a new Editor-in-Chief!
JSWSC seeks a new Editor-in-Chief (EiC) to join its leadership team and help shape the future of this #GoldOpenAccess journal published by EDP Sciences.
Key responsibilities:
• Develop the journal’s strategy and scientific profile
• Ensure the quality and integrity of peer review
• Represent JSWSC publicly and liaise with EDP Sciences and E-SWAN
• Oversee Topical Issues and manage the Editorial Board
• Solicit manuscript submissions from the space weather and space climate communities
Requirements:
• Residence or primary affiliation in Europe
• Prior experience as a journal editor (regular or guest)
• Strong scientific communication skills in English
- Term: 4 years (renewable)
- Volunteer position – no remuneration
- Applications review starts in August 2025
Find more information here.
Submit your application (CV + motivation letter) to:
Topical Issues open for submission
"Space Climate: Solar Extremes, Long-Term Variability, and Impacts on Earth’s System", deadline: 31 January 2026
Topical Editors-in-Chief (T-EiC):
Interested in the newest publications? Sign up for e-mail alert
The E-SWAN Medal Ceremony took place on 27th October 2025 at the European Space Weather Week in Umea (Sweden).
The Alexander Chizhevsky medal has been awarded to Dr. Erika Palmerio as described below.
The international Alexander Chizhevsky medalist in 2025: Dr. Erika Palmerio
Dr. Erika Palmerio is an outstanding early-career scientist whose work uniquely links solar eruptions, interplanetary propagation, and planetary impacts. Her innovative studies on stealth coronal mass ejection (CMEs) and complex CME interactions have substantially advanced our understanding of space weather drivers. She earned her Ph.D. in Physics in October 2019 from the University of Helsinki, under the mentorship of Professor Emilia Kilpua. Her thesis garnered both the Outstanding Thesis Award of her School and the University-wide Dissertation Award. Following her doctoral work, she was selected for the NASA LWS Jack Eddy Postdoctoral Fellowship, which took her to the University of California–Berkeley, and soon thereafter, she joined Predictive Science Incorporated in San Diego as a Research Scientist.
Dr. Palmerio’s scientific oeuvre spans bold interdisciplinarity and holistic systems thinking. She has merged remote sensing and in-situ spacecraft observations, and coupled those with state-of-the-art magnetohydrodynamic models, to illuminate how CMEs and solar energetic particles (SEP) events evolve — not just near Earth, but across the solar system. Her insights into the intrinsic magnetic structure of CMEs, including the class of elusive “stealth” CME events, and her analyses of interacting CMEs under complex solar conditions, have redefined what is possible in our field. Her work tracking these phenomena across interplanetary space shows not only technical mastery but a depth of vision: to see the heliosphere as a unified, dynamic system.
Particularly striking is her recent collaboration, leveraging the proximity of Parker Solar Probe and BepiColombo near Mercury’s orbit, to unveil the mesoscale structure of CME ejecta — a study that drew attention in Nature Astronomy and was profiled in AAS Nova.
Dr. Pamerio's publication record speaks volumes: 69 peer-reviewed papers, 14 as first author — a body of work whose quality and impact are unquestioned. The influence of her work is demonstrated through the more than 1,500 citations and in the many invited talks she has delivered across the globe.
Dr. Palmerio’s contributions extend beyond her own research. She is already a leader in our scientific community, guiding projects and teams, convening critical sessions, and shaping the future trajectory of heliophysics. She serves as Principal Investigator on NASA and NSF grants, co-leads an ISSI international team on tomographic inversion of synthetic white-light images, and has played key roles in the structuring of CME geometric reconstructions and stealth CME analyses. She has convened sessions at conferences, chaired symposiums, served on the steering committee of the Eddy Cross-disciplinary Symposium, and sat on numerous advisory boards and review panels.
For all of these reasons, the E-SWAN Awards Committee has decided to attribute the 2025 Alexander Chizhevsky Medal to Dr. Erika Palmerio.
New booklet now available: "Can I experience failure of my Navigation System Due to the Space Weather ?"
The EOCOM team is happy to announce the publication of a new booklet "Can I experience failure of my Navigation Due to the Space Weather ? " which explores how solar activity can disrupt positioning, navigation, and timing systems.
The aim of the EOCOM booklets series is to explain space weather and its everyday impacts in a clear and accessible way and to create a coherent, accessible resource that brings space weather closer to everyday experience.
Each booklet answers common questions, using relatable examples and simple explanations to show how solar and geomagnetic activity can affect people, technology, and industries.
Please contact the EOCOM if you want to support the translation of this booklet in your national language.
link: https://eswan.eu/index.
E-SWAN Sustainable Future Discussion Forum: Travelling by train as an alternative to travelling by air
When trying to reduce the environmental impact of our research activities we often face difficult choices and struggle to find proper solutions or share our concerns with others. To address this, E-SWAN has set up the 'E-SWAN Sustainable Future Discussion Forum', a regular conversation where we can discuss complex choices in an open and informal atmosphere. During each one-hour session, we will address one specific topic.
Our first forum will be held on Wednesday, 10 December, from 10:00–11:00 CET, and the topic is: 'Travelling by train as an alternative to travelling by air'.
Everyone is welcome to join the discussion. Our objective is not to seek the best solution, but rather to share ideas for pathways for reducing our environmental impact. The forum will start with a short presentation with a few facts, followed by an open discussion.
To join our meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83283002275?pwd=loTX508bLZwUpAbtOEpRKfaWaLXTHP.1
Meeting ID: 832 8300 2275
Passcode: 750325
The abstract submission website of STP-16 has now been opened at the symposium website at https://www.stp2026.org/
Please submit your abstract by January 10, 2026. If you have travel support request, please submit it by the same deadline.
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Abstract submission deadline for oral contributions: March 1, 2026
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Abstract submission deadline for poster contributions: April 15, 2026
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Early bird registration deadline: March 15, 2026
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) in the Space Physics research group at the University of Alberta, working under Prof. Ian Mann.
This PDF is part of a project researching the effects of space weather on the electric power grid in Alberta, Canada, and jointly funded by an NSERC Alliance Advantage grant and industry partners, including AltaLink Management Ltd and ATCO Electric, and in-kind contributions from the Alberta Electric System Operator.
Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Ian Mann at
More details of potential projects and instructions on how to apply can be found at https://spacephysics.ca/
Please apply using this link before November 25th, 2025.
Last June, for the very first time, the Protect Accelerator and the ESA Space Weather Office hosted a dedicated hackathon that brought together experts, students, and young professionals to “Accelerate Space Weather Resilience.”
The event highlighted the key challenges faced by space mission operators during active space weather conditions, while also showcasing the growing momentum behind collaborative innovation in space data-driven applications. It further demonstrated the power of open data, fresh perspectives, and community engagement in shaping Europe’s approach to space weather resilience.
Now, we would like to hear from you, the space weather community:
- If you have taken part in other innovation events: which ones, what were their outcomes, and what are your key takeaways?
- How do you think such events can help drive the sector forward?
Please take a moment to share your perspective on the role innovation should play in accelerating the development and maturity of Space Weather services in Europe: https://forms.office.com/e/k9JR3PcMs4 (deadline: 15 October 2025).
Your feedback will directly contribute to the upcoming related Topical Discussion Meeting at the European Space Weather Week 2025, taking place in Umeå, Sweden, from 27–31 October.
All manuscripts will undergo peer review in accordance with the quality standards of Solar Physics.
Reviews will commence immediately upon submission, and accepted manuscripts will be published without waiting for the Topical Issue closure in electronic format.
Topical Issue Editors:
To contribute to the newsletter, please refer to the general rules reported here.