One of the most exciting scientific challenges of this century is the search of habitable worlds around other stars, and the characterization of their atmospheres with the goal of detecting signs of biological activity. This is a long-term, interdisciplinary endeavor, engaging astrophysicists, biologists, planetary scientists, and instrument scientists.

Pathways is dedicated to identifying the steps needed to address those questions. Its aim is to help integrate the prospective efforts in Europe and in the US, build a community around this theme, and bring together several pathways towards that final goal.

www.pathways2015.sciencesconf.org/