ForBio annual meetings gather scientists and students working on or interested in biosystematics to discuss current projects and present results, share experiences on methods, and facilitate networking within the scientific community. We encourage particularly early career researchers to use this meeting as an opportunity to present and discuss their own research in biosystematics and meet fellow biosystematists.
Key note speakers will give valuable talks on the state of the art and cutting edge methods within the field of taxonomy and systematics, as well as on other professional skills vital to researchers throughout their careers.
Please note that there is no registration fee! ForBio members (PhD students and Postdocs) presenting their research (oral or poster) will receive free travel and shared accommodation booked through ForBio.
For more information and registration, keep an eye on this site, become a ForBio member or associate, or sign up for the ForBio newsletter to receive regular updates about this meeting and other events organized by ForBio.
Contact us if you have further questions regarding the meeting.
Registration
Registration is open! Sign up for the meeting by filling in the online registration form. If you wish to present a contribution at the meeting (we hope you do!), you will be asked to upload your abstract when registering (see Poster and oral presentations below).
Registration deadline 28 February 2017.
Program
The meeting will be held in Bergen, Norway, from Monday April 24th to Wednesday 26th with invited keynotes, oral contributions, a poster session and speed presentations.
Please find the detailed program here and abstract book here.
Keynote speakers include:
Nataliya Budaeva, University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Lacey Knowles, University of Michigan
Luke Mahler, University of Toronto
Nina Rønsted, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen
Endre Willassen, University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen
Venue
The meeting will take place at the Magnus Barfot Kino og Konferanse senter (Scandic Bergen City) at Håkonsgate 2, Bergen.
Poster and oral presentations
All ForBio members and associates are invited to submit oral and poster contributions to present their research! You will be asked to upload your abstract as a Word-file when registering for the meeting. Please use the provided abstract template to format your abstract.
Oral presentations
Oral presentations are open to ForBio members and associates. Presenters will have 20 minutes (including time for questions). Please submit your abstract (maximum 350 words) at the time of registration.
Posters
Poster presentations are open to all participants. Poster boards suitable for A0 posters in portrait orientation (h 120 x w 90 cm) will be provided. Please submit your abstract (maximum 350 words) at the time of registration.
Associated workshops
We are pleased to announce exciting pre- and post-conference workshops on science communication and comparative phylogenetic methods. Limited places available, sign up when registering for the meeting to make the most of your conference trip to Bergen!
Pre-conference workshop (April 22-23): Science Communication
Instructors:
Jo Høyer, UiB
Knut Melvær, Netlife Research
How to plan, present and communicate your research?
The two-day workshop includes input on planning, strategy, methods and skills related to science communication. The workshop will include talks, discussions and practical exercises focusing on the participants’ own research projects and covers both the more traditional as well as social media.
Topics:
- Why communicate your science?
- Trends, challenges and opportunities in science communication
- How to build a killer communication plan when applying for a research grant
- Presenting science
- Popular writing, writing for the reader
- Writing for the web
- Getting media attention
- What is social media, and why should you care?
- How to present yourself and your research on social media
- How to use social media as a tool for collaboration, inspiration, and sparking interest
Jo Høyer is communication advisor/editor at the University Museum of Bergen. He has been working as a science communicator at universities (Bergen and Tromsø), museums and research institutes, and has been the Head of Information department at University of Tromsø, Haukeland University Hospital and the Institute of Marine Research. Jo also has experience as a journalist as well as a lecturer at university and high school levels.
Knut Melvær is an interaction designer at Netlife Research, and a PhD student in the Study of Religions at UiB. He has worked broadly with research dissemination and teaching on digital platforms. He is fascinated with the intersection between dissemination, research and teaching.
Post-conference workshop (April 27-28): Comparative Phylogenetic Methods
Instructor: Luke Mahler, University of Toronto
Co-instructor: Stephen de Lisle, Lund University
This intensive workshop will feature short lectures, followed by laboratory exercises mostly with R. Focus will be on using phylogenetic comparative methods to test macroevolutionary hypotheses, and to conduct statistical analyses on species data using phylogenetically correct methods. Topics to be addressed include continuous & discrete trait evolution including ancestral reconstruction, rate shifts, and more; phylogenetic correction; diversification rates; as well as model power, uncertainty and adequacy. Participants should have knowledge of basic phylogenetics and tree reconstruction. Familiarity with R is useful, but not an absolute prerequisite. Participants should bring their own laptop, with R and selected R packages (list will be provided) preinstalled.
Social events
We will have a conference dinner on Tuesday 25 April. Please remember to sign up for the dinner as you register. More information to follow.
Accommodation
ForBio members
ForBio will book and pay for shared accommodation at the Montana Vandrerhjem for members presenting a poster or oral contribution at the meeting.
ForBio associates
ForBio will pay for and arrange accommodation for a limited number of ForBio associates with accepted contributions, and we encourage associates to submit abstracts to the meeting.
Invited speakers
ForBio will pay for and arrange accommodation for invited speakers.
Other attendants
Other attendants will need to pay for their own accommodation.
Contact Aino Hosia for questions regarding accommodation.
Travel
ForBio members
ForBio will cover the cost of return tickets to Bergen for ForBio members presenting a poster or oral contribution. In order to be eligible for this, the travel is to be booked through ForBio – instructions to come when registration opens. To save paperwork we will not reimburse transport from the airport or in Bergen.
ForBio associates
ForBio will also cover travel expenses for a limited number of ForBio associates with accepted contributions, and we encourage associates to submit abstracts to the meeting.
Invited speakers
ForBio will pay for and arrange travel for invited speakers.
Other attendants
Other attendants will need to pay for their own travel.
Contact Aino Hosia for questions regarding travel.