Welcome to the final episode of this season of the EARLI Research Stories podcast! As in our previous episode, we continue to celebrate EARLI’s 40th anniversary. In this episode, Cris talks with past presidents Sanna Järvelä and Hans Gruber about their careers, how EARLI has shaped their work, and their experiences leading the association. They reflect on the challenges and opportunities they encountered, share their future perspectives on the EARLI community and educational research trends, and offer thoughtful advice on maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

In this special episode, we celebrate EARLI’s 40th anniversary with a conversation with its founder, Erik de Corte. Join us as we revisit the association’s origins and explore how it carved out its own path. Tune in for an inside look at how it all began.

Join our podcast hosts, Cris, Leonie, and Rachel, as they sit down with the co-presidents of the upcoming EARLI 2025 conference for a rich and engaging conversation. Together, they explore Roland and Stephan's personal academic journeys, discuss emerging trends in educational research, and reflect on the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in academia. The episode also offers a sneak peek into the EARLI 2025 conference theme and what participants can look forward to.