The Platelet Society Early Career Researcher Meeting Virtual is an online symposium designed specifically for early career researchers (ECRs) working in platelet biology, bleeding disorders, and platelet function testing. The inaugural virtual meeting was held on September 3, 2020, and it set the template for how the Society supports the next generation of platelet scientists — free registration, oral presentation opportunities, and structured networking, all accessible from anywhere in the world.
If you landed here searching for the next Platelet Society ECR meeting or wondering whether it’s worth attending, the short answer is: absolutely. These meetings are free, give you a platform to present your work to a focused audience of platelet experts, and connect you with a community that can genuinely shape your research career. Below, we’ll break down what these meetings involve, who should attend, and how to get plugged into future events.
What Is the Platelet Society?
The Platelet Society is a UK-based scientific organization dedicated to advancing research in platelet biology, thrombosis, and hemostasis. Its membership includes basic scientists, clinicians, and trainees from around the world who share an interest in how platelets contribute to health and disease.
Annual membership costs just £20 for the first year — one of the most affordable society memberships in biomedical research. Members get access to discounted registration at society meetings, platelet-focused news updates, and a network of researchers spanning academia and industry.
The Virtual ECR Meeting: What Happened in 2020
The first virtual ECR meeting ran on Thursday, September 3, 2020, from 13:00 to 16:00 BST. It was a compact, three-hour session that packed in eight oral presentations alongside discussion and networking segments. Registration was free and open to all early career researchers regardless of Platelet Society membership.
The meeting was supported by a strong roster of sponsors, reflecting the event’s credibility within the platelet research community.
2020 Virtual ECR Meeting Sponsors
| Sponsor | Sector |
|---|---|
| British Heart Foundation | Research Charity / Funding Body |
| Sysmex | Hematology Diagnostics |
| Labmedics | Laboratory Reagents & Equipment |
| Chronolog | Platelet Aggregometry Instruments |
| Gilead Sciences | Pharmaceutical / Biotech |
| NC3Rs | Animal Research Alternatives |
| Cairn Research | Fluorescence Imaging Systems |
| Platelets Journal | Academic Publishing |
That sponsor list tells you something: this isn’t a casual Zoom call. When companies like Sysmex and organizations like the British Heart Foundation back a meeting, it signals that the content and the audience are taken seriously.
Why Virtual ECR Meetings Matter for Your Career
Presenting at a large international conference can feel intimidating when you’re a PhD student or early postdoc. Virtual ECR meetings lower the barrier in several critical ways:
- No travel costs — a major advantage for ECRs on tight budgets
- Smaller, focused audience — you’re presenting to peers and mentors who genuinely care about platelet science, not a cavernous auditorium of distracted attendees
- Oral presentation slots — with only 8 talks in a 3-hour session, each presenter gets real time and real feedback
- Networking with intent — dedicated networking sessions mean you’re not just hoping to bump into someone at a poster board
- CV building — a society-endorsed oral presentation is a concrete line item for fellowship and grant applications
For ECRs studying platelet function using techniques like flow cytometry, light transmission aggregometry, or novel microfluidic approaches, this is one of the few meetings where your audience actually understands and cares about the technical details of your work.
Who Should Attend?
The meeting is aimed at anyone in the early stages of a research career with an interest in platelets. That includes:
- PhD students studying platelet biology, thrombosis, or hemostasis
- Postdoctoral researchers (typically within 5 years of completing their PhD)
- Clinical trainees with a research component involving platelets or bleeding disorders
- Biomedical scientists developing or validating platelet function assays
- Master’s students exploring platelet-related thesis projects
You don’t need to be a Platelet Society member to attend, though joining unlocks additional benefits throughout the year.
How to Stay Updated on Future Meetings
The Platelet Society has continued to host ECR events following the success of the 2020 virtual meeting. To make sure you don’t miss the next one:
- Join the Platelet Society — visit plateletsociety.co.uk and sign up. At £20 for year one, it’s less than the cost of a single journal article rental.
- Follow on social media — the Society is active on Twitter/X and posts meeting announcements well in advance.
- Check the website regularly — the Platelet Society website lists upcoming meetings, abstract submission deadlines, and registration links.
- Sign up for email alerts — members receive direct notifications about events, bursaries, and presentation opportunities.
What Topics Are Typically Covered?
While the specific program varies each year, presentations at Platelet Society ECR meetings tend to cluster around several core themes:
- Platelet signaling pathways (e.g., GPVI, integrin αIIbβ3 activation)
- Novel antiplatelet therapy targets
- Platelet roles beyond hemostasis — inflammation, cancer metastasis, infection
- Inherited bleeding disorders and platelet function defects
- New technologies for studying platelet function (microfluidics, single-cell approaches, computational modeling)
- Refinement and replacement of animal models in platelet research (aligned with NC3Rs sponsorship)
Key Takeaways
- The Platelet Society Virtual ECR Meeting is a free, accessible event tailored to early career platelet researchers.
- It offers oral presentation opportunities, structured networking, and exposure to the broader platelet research community.
- Membership in the Platelet Society costs £20 for the first year and keeps you connected to future events.
- You don’t need to be a member to attend, but joining gives you priority access to announcements and discounted registration at other society events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Platelet Society ECR Meeting still held virtually?
The 2020 meeting was fully virtual. Since then, the Society has used a mix of virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats depending on circumstances. Check the Platelet Society website for the latest format details on upcoming meetings.
Do I need to submit an abstract to attend?
No. You can attend as a spectator without presenting. However, if you have data to share, submitting an abstract for an oral presentation slot is strongly encouraged — it’s one of the best career benefits of the meeting.
Is the meeting only for UK-based researchers?
Not at all. While the Platelet Society is UK-based, the virtual format makes it accessible internationally. ECRs from any country are welcome to register and present.
What qualifies as an “early career researcher”?
There’s no strict cutoff, but the term generally covers PhD students, postdocs within approximately 5–7 years of their doctorate, and clinical trainees with active research involvement. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, reach out to the Society directly — they’re approachable.
How does this compare to the main Platelet Society annual meeting?
The annual meeting is larger, features established keynote speakers, and covers a broader scope. The ECR meeting is deliberately smaller and designed so that early career voices are front and center. Think of the ECR meeting as your training ground and the annual meeting as the main stage — both are valuable, and attending the ECR event first can give you confidence and connections that make the annual meeting far more productive.
