The field of rheumatology is entering a new era — one defined by discovery, digital innovation, and a deeper understanding of immune mechanisms that shape human health. The theme “Futureproof Rheumatology: Transformation through Discovery” invites us to explore how science, technology, and human collaboration can prepare our discipline for the challenges and opportunities of the decades ahead.  At the heart of this transformation lies discovery — discovery that bridges the molecular to the clinical, and the laboratory to the lived experience of patients. As our knowledge of immune dysregulation deepens, new pathways are being revealed in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, and spondyloarthritis. The latest insights from genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are uncovering novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets that bring us closer to the dream of precision medicine in rheumatology. Understanding how immune tolerance is lost — and how it might be restored — offers a pathway not just to disease control but to potential cure. Therapeutic innovation continues to redefine what is possible. Advances in biologics, small molecules, and targeted immune therapies are transforming outcomes for patients once thought to have untreatable disease. In lupus, particularly, new classes of drugs targeting B-cell activation, interferon pathways, and complement systems are reshaping treatment strategies. At the same time, emerging technologies such as gene editing, RNA-based therapies, and cell-based immune modulation are pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in immune restoration and tissue repair. Vaccinology stands at a fascinating intersection of discovery and care in rheumatology. The lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the critical role of vaccines in safeguarding immunocompromised populations, while also illuminating the complexity of immune responses in patients with autoimmune disease. Futureproof rheumatology must embrace both aspects — optimising vaccine safety and efficacy for those on immunosuppressive therapies, while also exploring the promise of next-generation platforms such as mRNA and therapeutic vaccines that may one day be used to prevent or even treat autoimmunity itself. As we deepen our understanding of immune memory and tolerance, the line between infectious prevention and immune modulation grows increasingly intertwined. Technology and data science are rapidly becoming integral to rheumatology’s transformation. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are now capable of predicting flares, personalising treatment pathways, and even identifying novel drug targets through pattern recognition in vast datasets. The development of digital twins — virtual representations of patients that simulate disease progression — promises a new era of predictive and preventive care. Wearable devices, telemedicine platforms, and real-world data integration are expanding access and enabling continuous monitoring of disease activity, empowering both clinicians and patients with actionable insights.