YESS is an initiative started by a group of early-career researchers (ECR) working with ecosystem services. The group’s primary aim is to stimulate an exchange of ideas, identify knowledge gaps, and improve possibilities for training and capacity-building ecosystem service science and practice. This network aims to achieve actual cooperation, explore ideas for innovative research, and gain experience in critical thinking and science communication. Our official contact email is: [email protected]
Join the network!
To become a YESS member, you have to fill out this form and subscribe to our mailing list!
Read our introduction handbook for members. – currently open for inputs
Additionally, you can subscribe to YESS newsletter for upcoming editions (no membership required)
YESS 2025 Executive Team
The next election will be held in June – July 2025. Kien and Yemi are handling the group’s function until then (ET 2023-2024).
- Opeyemi Adeyemi, Rhodes University, South Africa
- Kien Trung Pham, Université Gustave Eiffel, France
Activities & Working Groups (WG)
We encourage all of you to develop activities within the group! There are so many possibilities to explore together. For example, you could share ideas about important topics in the ES field that need some discussion, suggest summer school opportunities (and perhaps even help organize them!), or let each other know about PhD positions and other early-career opportunities. Feel free to bring any other ideas to the table that you think could benefit our group!
Outreach & Communication
The Communication WG facilitates the demand to exchange information and search for potential collaborators within the YESS network and from external partners to our members. We handle various social media channels and organize newsletters. Take a look at the most recent and past editions of our Newsletter.
Contact point:
- Diego A. G. Cifuentes, Faculty of Spatial Planning. TU Dortmund, German (LinkedIn)
- Ina M. Sieber, Kassel Institute for Sustainability, Germany (Bluesky)
- Celina Aznarez, Basque Centre for Climate Change, Spain (Newsletter)
- Vanya Stoycheva, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria (Newsletter)
Journal & Research Club
The YESS Journal is an active and engaging forum discussing cutting-edge research on ecosystem services. It provides a collaborative space for members to explore key publications, exchange insights, and engage with leading researchers. From 2025, the group name has been changed to Journal and Research Club after incorporating the Training and Education WG and Meet-the-Author webinars into the club.
Contact point:
WG YESS delegation to IPBES
IPBES WG facilitates nominations for IPBES events, including its plenaries, experts, and fellowships for assessment, training workshops, and others. The WG members also actively engage with other networks and organizations working on IPBES’s assessments.
Contact point:
- Kien Trung Pham, Université Gustave Eiffel, France – YESS Focal Point for IPBES.
WG External Relations
External Relations is dedicated to initiating and sustaining involvement with networks of researchers, NGOs, and policymakers. The working group aims to provide opportunities for YESSers to participate in initiatives with other young professionals from diverse backgrounds. These collaborations will enable YESSers to broaden their networks and strengthen their skills in science communication, teamwork, project management, and event preparation.
Contact point:
- Albaluz R. Franco, Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia – (FutureEarth NoN)
- Nita Shashidharan, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ONet)
- Kien T. Pham, Université Gustave Eiffel, France (IPBES)
ESP Conferences
As part of the ESP network, YESS has frequently hosted sessions for early career researchers at ESP conferences. You have a good idea for a YESS session proposal at an ESP conference? Or do you want to host a session at an ESP conference to gain experience as a chair? Get in touch with your peers via the mailing list or the Executive team for further assistance!