Laura Sadori was elected new president of the International Union for Quaternary Research, at the end of INQUA 2023, the most important meeting of the scientific community studying the recent geological evolution of our planet, its landscape and ecosystems. The event was attended by more than 3000 participants from 103 different countries involved in 14 parallel sessions spread over six days.

It is an important recognition awarded for the first time to an Italian scholar in INQUA's 95-year history. The Sapienza lecturer succeeds outgoing president Thijs Van Kolfschoten.

Laura Sadori, from Rome, is a leading figure in palynology, palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology, with studies also covering Holocene climate change and human impact on vegetation. Her expertise and passion for reconstructing our planet's recent history are reflected in her work, which focuses mainly on the study of fossil pollen contained in lake sequences.

"Besides being a personal fulfilment", said the new president, "my election is also a recognition to the national scientific community that supported my candidature. It is a recognition of the work that our quaternary scientists have been doing for over a hundred years. Italy has always played a leading role in this field and has also demonstrated that it knows how to organise and manage a major event such as this one".

Sadori has also already announced that she will continue to promote international research and collaboration to improve understanding of the last geological era and humanity's role in changing our planet.