Geographic diversity in Earth and Space sciences - do virtual conferences change the picture?

In order to build a diverse, inclusive community of Earth and space scientists within Europe, a statistical study is carried out based on participation statistics of different conferences in Europe over the past five years. Data of geoscience conferences (EGU, IUGG), planetary (EPSC) and solar-terrestrial science conferences (ESWW, ESPM) are investigated. Special focus is given to the historical division between Eastern and Western Europe. The registration statistics of virtual conferences are also analysed.
The aim is to show that the geographical division continues to exist and does not show a general improving trend, while the position of the younger generation seems to improve. Some “success cases” defying the usual trend are shown and analysed in detail. We suggest some reasons behind the statistics and draw some lessons that can help integrating less represented researchers into the mainstream of European Earth and space sciences.