On Friday, 26 February 2021, HOMED held its first quarterly online workshop for HOMED PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. The idea of the workshop, as well as a number of means to intensify young researchers' involvement, was raised during the last HOMED annual meeting, held between 23-27 November 2020.

The main aim of the workshop is to provide a forum for discussion between young researcchers involved in the project and renouned HOMED senior scientists who can provide their expert advice and mentoring. The mentor of the first workshop was Prof. Andrea Battisti of the University of Padova, Italy.

Various topics were discussed within the first workshop, including research methodology, data gathering, networking, and future directions. The workshop started off as a roundtable, and proceeded with an active discussion between students and mentor. Prof. Battisti provided an overview of the HOMED project, and outlined the benefits of the participation of young researchers in research projects. He advised students on different methodological topics, and provided experience-driven tips and tricks on dissertation writing.

With the first workshop being a success, we are off to a good start of a new HOMED tradition. The next event is planned to take place in late spring of 2021.