Maastricht to host world’s leading Network Science Conference: NetSci 2025

In a significant cross-border collaboration, Maastricht University is excited to announce that NetSci 2025, the flagship international conference of the Network Science Society, will be held at MECC Maastricht from June 2nd to June 6th, 2025. Over 800 leading researchers and practitioners from around the globe are expected in the city to explore cutting-edge developments in network science, a field that influences everything from computer science and physics to neuroscience, social sciences, and even the arts.

This prestigious five-day conference, which previously took place in Vienna (2023) and Quebec City (2024), is coming to Maastricht thanks to a successful bidding effort led by Leto Peel and Adriana Iamnitchi from Maastricht University. True to the spirit of interdisciplinary research that defines network science as a field, the chairs are hosted in different faculties: Leto Peel is in the School of Business and Economics, while Adriana Iamnitchi is in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Their work, in collaboration with experts from universities in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, was pivotal in securing this event. 

Cross-border cooperation and local engagement

“We are thrilled to bring NetSci 2025 to Maastricht,” said Leto Peel, Assistant Professor in the Data Analytics and Digitalisation department at Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics “Our region's strong ties with international partners, particularly in Belgium and Germany, played a crucial role in securing this event. NetSci has been an important part of my career since 2014, and I am proud to be bringing this community to our city. Maastricht’s central location and its interdisciplinary approach make it the ideal place to host such a diverse and innovative conference.”

The success of Maastricht’s bid for NetSci 2025 reflects a coordinated effort involving key local and international stakeholders. From local partners like MECC Maastricht, PCO Klinkhamer Conferences & Events, and the Maastricht Convention Bureau, to universities and research centres abroad, this event is a testament to the power of cross border collaboration.

A meeting of minds

NetSci 2025 promises to be a transformative event, promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration across disciplines. Especially for the relatively new Maastricht University Faculty of Science and Engineering, with its strong focus on computational intelligence, the conference provides a great opportunity to position itself as an emerging leader in network science by showcasing its cutting-edge research on a global stage. “This conference will not only spotlight the latest advances in network science but also offer a platform for regional businesses, educational institutions, and research centres to engage with a truly global audience,” added Adriana Iamnitchi, Professor at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering. “It is a unique opportunity for our region to showcase its expertise and position itself as a leader in this scientific community.”

Leto Peel highlights the significance for his faculty, noting, "For the School of Business and Economics, hosting NetSci 2025 demonstrates how business and data analytics intersect with the latest scientific developments in network science. It will further solidify our faculty’s role in driving interdisciplinary research and give us a unique opportunity to engage with global leaders in the field, which can have a lasting impact on both our students and research output.”

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