Focalpoint Scientific Communication
The FESTMIH Focalpoint Scientific Communication coordinates two complementary formats that shape FESTMIH’s communication landscape: News of the Month and the FESTMIH Quarterly Newsletter.
Both aim to highlight ongoing developments in tropical medicine and global health, while also offering space for reflection, context and broader perspectives. Through these formats, the focal point encourages dialogue, facilitates knowledge transfer and supports a shared understanding of emerging issues within our community.
Looking ahead, the Focalpoint Scientific Communication seeks to further refine these formats, strengthen collaboration between member societies and expand opportunities for contributions from all career stages. The aim is to foster an engaged, international network where scientific communication becomes a catalyst for new partnerships, deeper insights and long-term collective learning.
We welcome contributions, ideas and questions for both formats. We are happy to discuss topics, formats and timelines.
Interested to work with us?
News of the Month
News of the Month is FESTMIH’s fast, concise update capturing what is happening across our network right now. Published monthly, it highlights current opportunities, upcoming events and recent achievements in tropical medicine and global health. It serves as a living noticeboard, offering timely snapshots of activities, openings and developments within the community.
Contributions for NOTM should be brief and to the point, only a few lines or a short paragraph, including essential details and relevant links. We particularly welcome short contributions such as announcements of events (e.g. conferences, symposia, webinars, workshops, summer schools), funding and training opportunities (e.g. grants, fellowships, PhD/MPH positions, exchange programmes), community news (e.g. new projects or collaborations, awards, recognitions, and major milestones) and recent outputs ( e.g. new publications, policy briefs, reports, tools or guidelines). If your update could open a door for somebody it belongs here.
FESTMIH Quarterly Newsletter
The FESTMIH Quarterly Newsletter appears four times a year and offers space for longer, curated and reflective contributions. Each issue is shaped by UN International Days and Weeks and explores wider themes in tropical medicine and global health, including equity, One Health, neglected tropical diseases, language and access, or climate and health. While News of the Month captures what is happening, the Newsletter asks why it matters, what we can learn from it and how we should act next.
Newsletter contributions are longer-form and more narrative than NOTM items. We welcome narrative pieces that provide depth and context, such as thematic essays, field and project reports, reflections from practice or research, opinion pieces, interviews, profiles and perspectives from early-career professionals. Contributions may include background, key insights, lessons learned and a call to action. If you are unsure about format or length, you are welcome to get in touch- we are happy to shape a piece together with you.
Members:
Co-Lead FP Scientific Communication: Maximilian Förster
Maximilian Förster has been pursuing a doctoral degree at the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene since 2023. His research focuses on changes in the microbiome during medical interventions, particularly in the context of head and neck cancer. Alongside this work, he is involved in projects related to tropical medicine, epidemiology, bioinformatics and both in vitro and in vivo testing of novel compounds. His broad scientific engagement reflects a strong interest in advancing treatment options and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.
Co-Lead FP Scientific Communication: Sophie Schneitler
Sophie Schneitler’s background and interests reflect a strong engagement with global health governance and health systems, with a particular emphasis on equitable structures of cooperation and communication. Her involvement in FESTMIH builds on this commitment, aiming to support transparent, accessible and community-driven scientific exchange across the federation. She is especially interested in how communication can foster collaboration between member societies and strengthen FESTMIH’s role as a connector in the European and global health landscape.
