We are pleased to share a highlight from the EARLICOST & EARLINET Meeting 2026, held 8–11 September at the Penteli Astronomical Station in Athens.

For this first highlight, we spotlight the Dust-DN participants who joined us at the meeting, bringing together researchers working on the observation, modelling, and characterisation of mineral dust. 

Dust-DN (Doctoral Network on Atmospheric Dust) is a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network, the first of its kind in Europe, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise on mineral dust in the atmosphere. 

Among them, Dr. Franco Marenco (The Cyprus Institute), initiator and coordinator of Dust-DN and a leading expert in atmospheric aerosol remote sensing, whose presence and contributions enriched the discussions. 

The meeting provided a unique opportunity for the Dust-DN community to connect in person, exchange scientific results, and strengthen collaborative ties within the EARLICOST network. Notably, three Dust-DN doctoral candidates are conducting their PhD research at the National Observatory of Athens.