The European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors (EWOFS) began almost three decades ago in Peebles. Since then, the workshop has travelled across Europe, with Editions held in Santander (2004), Napoli (2007), Porto (2010), Kraków (2013), Limerick (2016), Limassol (2019) and Mons (2023). In September 2027, it will be Aveiro's turn to host the 9th EWOFS 2027. A city shaped by water canals and light, Aveiro is home to a University with a long-standing tradition of excellence in photonics and instrumentation.

What has kept EWOFS relevant throughout the years is its distinctive philosophy: bringing people together so that genuine scientific discussion can flourish. We intend to preserve that spirit by combining high-level invited talks that look beyond optical fibre sensors themselves, exploring the neighbouring fields shaping the future of the technology, with the workshop's signature format of placing contributions from young researchers alongside those of established scientists in open discussion. This unique environment ensures that the most significant ideas receive the attention they deserve. And because good science also thrives on good company, we are equally committed to a social programme that transforms hallway conversations into lasting collaborations.

EWOFS 2027 will bring together those who have shaped this field over the past three decades and those just beginning their journey, bridging fundamental research with the practical and commercial opportunities that emerge from it. We also warmly welcome companies developing, manufacturing and deploying optical fibre sensing technologies. Their experience in transforming research into products and solutions is essential to the progress of the field, and we believe that an open dialogue between academia, industry and end users is one of the workshop's greatest strengths. Optical fibre sensing continues to expand into new frontiers, from structural health monitoring and environmental sensing to biomedical applications and industrial process control, where small sensors are helping address some of society's greatest challenges in sustainability, resilience and technological innovation.

Our role as organisers of EWOFS 2027 is to create an environment where ideas can be presented openly, challenged constructively, and refined through discussion. Whether they emerge from a university laboratory, a research institute or an industrial R&D team, what matters is their ability to inspire new thinking and new collaborations.

We warmly invite you to join us in Aveiro in September 2027 to present your work, exchange ideas with colleagues from academia and industry, challenge established thinking, and contribute to the next chapter in the EWOFS story.