Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, University of Belgrade
Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia
Photo: Dragan Branković | Location: village Duboka (Kučevo), Serbia
The ENLIGHT International Conference is dedicated to light pollution, one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges of our time. It is the first conference of its kind in Serbia. Light pollution affects ecosystems, human health, astronomy, and urban planning, making it an inherently interdisciplinary problem that requires a collaborative approach.
The conference is hosted by the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, as a partner in the ENLIGHT Project led by researchers from the Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” in Belgrade. The ENLIGHT Project, funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, investigates the biological effects of artificial light at night on amphibians. You can learn more about the project on this website.
To reflect the complexity of this issue, the ENLIGHT Conference invites contributions from a wide range of fields. We welcome submissions in (but not limited to) the following areas:
Biological Effects of Light Pollution
Impacts on Human Health
Urbanization and Light Pollution
Effects on Astronomy and Night Sky Observation
Dark Sky Protection and Policy Development
Methods for Measuring and Monitoring Light Pollution
If your topic is not explicitly listed, please feel free to contact the organizers—our goal is to bring together diverse perspectives and innovative solutions.
Contact info: enlightpromis@gmail.com
The conference will be held in a hybrid format—you can attend in person (which we strongly encourage) or online. Please select your preferred option during registration. If you change your mind later, notify the organizers by email at least one week before the conference so we can adjust logistics and access details.
In person. The main conference activities will take place in Novi Sad, Serbia, at the Science and Technology Park on the University of Novi Sad campus [Google Maps pin]. The venue is easily reached by city bus, taxi, or foot. Numerous accommodation options are nearby—most within walking distance.
Online. If you attend online, you will receive Zoom access links and instructions at the email address you used for registration a few days before the conference.
Novi Sad is the second-largest city in Serbia and the capital of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Known for its rich cultural heritage, lively atmosphere, beautiful Danube riverfront, and Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad offers a unique blend of history and modernity. The city is compact, making it easy to explore on foot, with most attractions, hotels, and restaurants close to each other. There are many accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to comfortable hotels and apartments. Public transportation is well-developed, with city buses covering all directions. A one-way ticket costs around 0.85 EUR anywhere within the city limits. However, most key locations are within walking distance of the conference venue, making it easy to get around on foot.
1) From Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG):
Novi Sad is located approximately 80 km north of Belgrade and its international airport (Nikola Tesla Airport). Travelers can easily reach Novi Sad in several ways:
By train from Central Station in Belgrade or Novi Beograd Station:
A frequent high-speed rail connection links Belgrade and Novi Sad, with a travel time of 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the service. A shuttle bus from the airport to the Belgrade train station is available.
By bus from the central bus station in Belgrade: Regular intercity buses operate between Belgrade’s main bus station and Novi Sad, with an average journey of about 90 minutes.
All participants will receive detailed instructions, including schedules for trains and buses, before the conference.
2) By bus: Frequent intercity buses operate from various parts of Europe to Novi Sad or Belgrade.
3) From Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD): Novi Sad is about 300 km away. You can reach it by car, train, or a combination of train and bus (approx. 4–5 hours).
4) Highway Connections: Novi Sad is on the E75/A1 highway, part of the Pan-European Corridor X, which makes it easily accessible by car from major regional cities.
The photos are taken from the website of the Tourist Organization of Novi Sad, where you can also find additional information about the city.
PhD Marko Prokić,
Senior Research Associate, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD Dajana Bjelajac,
Assistant professor, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
PhD Maja Ajduković,
Senior Research Associate, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD Tamara Petrović,
Research associate, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD Tijana Vučić,
Postdoctoral fellow, University of Leiden, Institute of Biology Leiden, The Netherlands.
PhD student Marija Drobnjaković,
Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD student Božana Tošić,
Teaching assistant, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
PhD Travis Longcore
Adjunct Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, California, US.
PhD Zoltán Kolláth
Professor, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Hungary.
PhD Salva Bara
Independent Scholar, Former professor at Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
PhD Yana Yakushina
Research Fellow and Scientific Coordinator, Ghent University, Belgium.
PhD Nedim Tüzün
PostDoc Position, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Germany.
PhD João Luís Teixeira Pestana
Assistant Researcher, The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
PhD Maja Ajduković,
Senior Research Associate, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD Tamara Petrović,
Research associate, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD Tijana Vučić,
Postdoctoral fellow, University of Leiden, Institute of Biology Leiden, The Netherlands.
PhD Marko Prokić,
Senior Research Associate, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD Dajana Bjelajac,
Assistant professor, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
PhD Maja Ajduković,
Senior Research Associate, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD student Marija Drobnjaković,
Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
PhD student Božana Tošić,
Teaching assistant, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
The conference is organized within the framework of the ENLIGHT Project by the Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” (IBISS) and the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad.
The conference will run for three days in a hybrid format (in-person and online).
Day 1 features a public workshop held in Serbian, open to participants from across the Balkans. Speakers from Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia will speak, and attendance is possible both on-site and online. Day 2 is the main scientific program, with oral and poster presentations across the conference themes, both on-site and online. Day 3 is dedicated to networking and optional excursions (only on-site). More info on each day is provided below.
Important dates:
Abstract Submission Opens – August 20th, 2025.
Abstract Submission Deadline – October 10th, 2025.
Notification of Acceptance – October 20th, 2025.
Registration opens (for presenters and non-presenters): August 20th - October 20th, 2025.
Conference Dates – November 28-30, 2025.
Participants will have the opportunity to present their work in either Oral or Poster Presentations. Before the abstract submission period opens, a template for abstract submission and guidelines for preparing posters will be published on the website. Additionally, a Best Poster Award will be presented at the conference.
Plenary lectures will be announced soon. The full conference program, including thematic sessions and a detailed schedule, will be published after the abstract submission process is completed and all sections have been finalized.
The lecture title will be announced soon.
PhD Salvador Bará,
Independent scholar
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
PhD Avalon Owens,
Fellow at Harvard University
The Rowland Institute at Harvard, US
The lecture title will be announced soon.
PhD Yana Yakushina,
Lawyer & Researcher
Ghent University, Belgium.
PhD Dajana Bjelajac,
Assistant professor
Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
On this day, a special workshop will be organized for the general public to raise awareness about light pollution and provide practical tools for reducing it in both urban and rural environments. Speakers will include experts from the fields of nature conservation, industry, and lighting design, as well as researchers and university lecturers from scientific institutions and faculties. The workshop will be held in Serbian, as it is primarily intended for the local audience; however, participants from the region who understand Balkan languages are warmly welcome.
Following the workshop, an Icebreaker Cocktail will be organized for workshop participants and conference attendees. If you arrive the evening before the conference, you are invited to attend this networking event.
Tentative Program (Central European Time - CET):
09:00 – 10:00- Participant Registration
10:00 – 10:20- Conference Opening
10:20 – 10:35 - Plenary Lecture 1
10:40 – 10:55 - Plenary Lecture 2
11:00 - 11:15 - Plenary Lecture 3
11:20 - 11:35 - Plenary Lecture 4
11:40 – 13:00 - Lunch Break
13:00 – 14:30 - Session 1
14:30 – 15:00 - Coffee Break & Poster Session
15:00 – 16:30 - Session 2
16:30 – 17:00 - Coffee Break & Poster Session
17:00 – 18:30 - Session 3
18:30 - Closing Ceremony & Invitation to Networking Event
An optional excursion is planned for this day, with details to be confirmed soon. The program will most likely include:
Morning: A guided sightseeing tour of Novi Sad, exploring the city’s cultural and historical highlights.
Afternoon: A wine tasting experience in the nearby town of Sremski Karlovci, featuring local grape varieties and traditional flavors.
Evening: An evening astro-hike on Fruška Gora, followed by stargazing and a social gathering under the night sky.
More details will be shared soon.
All coffee breaks and lunch during the conference, as well as the Icebreaker Cocktail, are free of charge for all registered participants. The optional excursion and networking activities on the last day will likely involve a symbolic participation fee, which will depend on the number of interested participants. More details will be provided closer to the event.
The conference is free of charge, as it is organized within the ENLIGHT Project. The only expenses participants will need to cover are personal travel and accommodation costs and meals outside of those provided during the event (if attending in person). An optional excursion is planned for the last day and will involve a small participation fee; details will be communicated in advance to those who register.
Important dates:
Abstract Submission Opens – August 20th, 2025.
Abstract Submission Deadline – October 10th, 2025.
Notification of Acceptance – October 20th, 2025.
Registration opens (for presenters and non-presenters): August 20th - October 20th, 2025.
Conference Dates – November 28-30, 2025.
For any additional questions regarding registration or abstract submission, please feel free to ask us at: enlightproject@gmail.com
Participants of the ENLIGHT Conference are invited to submit full papers based on their presentations for publication in one of the open access journals affiliated with the organizing institutions. These journals publish peer-reviewed research and offer both regional and international visibility, depending on the scope and indexing of each publication.
Below is a brief overview of the three journals available for post-conference publication:
A multidisciplinary open-access journal that publishes original research in life sciences, including:
Ecology, biology, genetics, zoology, and human biology
Biomedical and environmental research
Manuscripts focused on the biological impacts of light pollution and related ecological or conservation issues are encouraged.
🟢 Publication is free of charge and open access.
📈 Indexed in SCOPUS, Web of Science, DOAJ, and others. SJR 2023: Q3 (General Biology).
Link to the website: https://www.serbiosoc.org.rs/arch/index.php/abs/
Published by the Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, this journal focuses on all areas of geography and geosciences, including research related to light pollution from the perspective of spatial research, urbanization, environmental protection, or policy development.
🟢 Publication is free of charge and open access.
📈 Indexed in multiple databases; SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) 2023: Q3 (Geography, Planning and Development).
Link to the website: https://www.dgt.uns.ac.rs/en/homepage/pannonica/
This journal covers a wide range of topics including Physical and socio-geographical aspects of space, Regional development, Tourism, hunting tourism, hotel management, and gastronomy. Submissions related to light pollution, astronomy tourism and its connection with spatial issues, nature conservation, urban development, and tourism are encouraged.
🟢 Publication is free of charge and open access.
📈 Recognized in the region; currently classified as a national journal (M52 – according to Serbian Ministry of Science).
Link to the website: https://www.dgt.uns.ac.rs/en/homepage/zbornik-radova/
An international, peer-reviewed journal published by the Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. It accepts original research articles and reviews and short communications in all fields of biology. Submissions on light pollution and its biological effects, as well as papers on biodiversity and nature protection, are especially welcome.
🟢 Publication is free of charge and open access.
📈 Aiming toward international indexation; editorial board includes internationally recognized scientists.
Link to the website: https://ojs.pmf.uns.ac.rs/index.php/dbe_serbica/index
If you have any questions about which journal would be the most suitable for submitting your paper, please feel free to contact us at enlightpromis@gmail.com. We will be happy to assist you in choosing the best publication option based on the focus of your research.
