This is the first IAU conference devoted to research with small telescopes since the Symposium on Instrumentation & Research Programs for Small Telescopes, held in Christchurch, New Zealand, almost exactly fifteen years ago. Both the climate for, and the definition of, small telescopes has changed since then. Now, with the construction and operation of 8m class telescopes, anything less than about 3m is considered small. But whereas fifteen years ago there were concerns whether instrumentation could be improved in order to make small telescopes competitive, and whether there was any ultimate future for these outside of education, it is now clear that an extensive niche has been found, with remodelling, refurbishment and construction of new small telescopes well under way.