Anna-Lena Zietlow and Lea Woelflein at the TREASURE Meeting and the 1st International Conference in Oxford

TREASURE (CA22114) is a research initiative within COST – European Cooperation in Science and Technology, a European funding framework designed to foster collaboration and networking among researchers. TREASURE focuses on the study of maternal perinatal stress—that is, stress experienced during pregnancy and around the time of birth—and its short- and long-term effects on children’s development and health.

From February 2–4, 2026, the annual meeting of the research initiative took place in Oxford. The event centered on the advancement of joint research projects and intensive scientific exchange within the international network. Anna-Lena Zietlow and Lea Wölflein actively contributed to the meeting in their roles as leaders of working groups and subgroups. The close collaboration across countries and disciplines highlights one of TREASURE’s key strengths: bringing together diverse expertise to address complex questions related to perinatal stress.

1st TREASURE International Conference – A Milestone

A special highlight of the meeting was the 1st TREASURE International Conference, held for the first time as part of the initiative. The conference marks an important milestone and the launch of a shared, long-term research agenda aimed at advancing the study of perinatal stress and its impact on infant development. International experts presented current findings on the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms of perinatal stress and discussed implications for prevention strategies and clinical practice.

We are looking forward to continuing this interdisciplinary and international collaboration with such highly committed and ambitious colleagues. Together, we strive to translate scientific knowledge into concrete measures that sustainably strengthen children’s health and development across the lifespan.