Welcome to the first edition of BCE 2026
Welcome to the first edition of BCE 2026
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The Organising Committee of the first edition of the Belgian Conference on Ecotoxicology (BCE 2026) is delighted to welcome you to Mons, Belgium, for three inspiring days of presentations, discussions, and networking in the dynamic field of ecotoxicology.
Since the publication of Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book Silent Spring in 1962, awareness of the impact of anthropogenic pollutants on wildlife has grown tremendously. Despite this increasing recognition, opportunities for researchers to engage in in-depth discussions and collaborations across borders remain limited.
With BCE 2026, our goal is to bring together students, early-career researchers and established scientists to share cutting-edge research, exchange pioneering ideas, and foster stimulating discussions that will advance our understanding of ecotoxicology and its applications in conservation and environmental protection.
The scope of the conference is intentionally broad, welcoming studies using all biological models, from microorganisms to insects, plants, fish, birds, and mammals, as well as research addressing all types of chemical pollutants, including agrochemicals, plastics, particulate matters, metals, pharmaceuticals, and beyond. This inclusive approach aims to stimulate cross-disciplinary dialogues and inspire new perspectives on the challenges posed by environmental contaminants.
The conference will be held on the University of Mons (UMons) campus, from Wednesday 28 October to Friday 30 October 2026. The program will feature both oral and poster presentations in English, providing opportunities for researchers at all career stages to showcase their work.
In line with our commitment to making this event accessible to all, registration will be free of charge. However, due to budget constraints, participation will be limited to 100 attendees, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot.
We look forward to welcoming you warmly to Mons in 2026 to tackle the challenges of ecotoxicology together.
The Organising Committee.
Key informations
Abstract submission close: 21/06/2026.
Abstract notification: 21/07/2026.
Registration open: 21/07/2026.
Registration close: 21/09/2026.
Conference: 28/10/2026 - 30/10/2026.
Address: Avenue du Champ de Mars, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
Local organising committee
Local organising committee
Manon Fievet
Manon Fievet
Main co-organiser.
Manon Fievet graduated with a Master's degree in Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution (BEE) from the University of Lille. During her master’s thesis, she studied the effects of phthalates on the development of Bombus terrestris larvae at the Evolution, Ecology and Paleontology unit (EEP) in Lille. This work led her to develop a PhD project focused on the effects of pesticides on wild pollinators, in collaboration with the laboratories of Interaction Ecology and Global Change (IECG) and Zoology. She is now funded by a FRIA fellowship.
Antoine Gekière
Antoine Gekière
Main co-organiser.
Antoine Gekière graduated with a Master's degree in Biology of Organisms and Ecology (BOE) from the University of Mons. During his master’s thesis, he assessed the effects of nutritional resources on Crithidia-infected bumble bees in the Laboratory of Zoology. Afterwards, in this lab, he conducted a PhD funded by a FNRS fellowship focussing on the effects of trace metals on bees. Currently a post-doctoral researcher, Antoine specialises in both experimental and theoretical ecotoxicology. His recent work focuses on the role of gut microbiota in enhancing bee resilience to anthropogenic stressors.
Kévin Tougeron
Kévin Tougeron
Co-organiser
Kévin Tougeron is an associate professor at the University of Mons and head of the Ecology of Interactions and Global Change laboratory since 2023. After completing a PhD in biology on the effect of climate change on insect phenology in 2017, he undertook three postdoctoral fellowships in the United States, France, and Belgium. His work focuses on understanding the mechanisms and processes that determine the response of organisms to global change and environmental stress (climate, land use, pollution) in the context of complex interaction networks (symbiosis, predation, parasitism, competition).
Krishna Das
Krishna Das
Co-organiser
Krishna Das graduated in Zoology and Oceanography from the University of Liège. Her PhD focused on the contamination of marine mammals by trace elements in the oceans. After several international postdoctoral fellowships, she was appointed as a permanent Research Associate at the F.R.S.-FNRS in 2008. She is currently an FNRS Senior Research Associate and Associate Professor at the University of Liège, where she is a member of the Laboratory of Biological Oceanography. Her research investigates the ecotoxicological, ecological, and physiological responses of aquatic vertebrates to chemical pollution.
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