Post provided by Sthandiwe Nomthandazo Kanyile

The British Ecological Society (BES) held its Annual Meeting in Liverpool in December last year, attracting over 1,600 delegates from around the world! As the oldest ecological society in the world, the BES has a rich history of promoting ecological research, serving as a vital hub for scientists, practitioners, and conservationists across the globe. So, when plans were set in motion for me to attend the meeting, I was ecstatic. This conference marked the first of many occasions for me: it was my first BES conference and the largest scientific gathering I had ever been to; it was my first time in the UK, and the first time I was part of such a gathering not only as a delegate but also as a blog associate editor for Methods in Ecology and Evolution. In this post, I’ll take you on a journey through my experiences at the 2024 BES Annual Meeting, from overcoming the hurdles of international travel to immersing myself in the diverse world of ecological research and methods.

A Global South passport: “one of these things is not like the others” – Sesame Street

As excited as I was about going to the conference, there were some practical hurdles to overcome. One of the most anxiety-inducing parts of conference attendance as someone with a Global South passport is navigating the visa process. Previously, I’ve had to abandon the idea of attending other conferences due to either lack of funding or prohibitively long visa processing times. This time, however, I was fortunate—my conference registration fee was covered by BES: first hurdle cleared. My former institute took care of airfare, accommodation, and other expenses: second hurdle cleared. But the final hurdle was obtaining a visa to lawfully enter the UK for the conference. It was most certainly an expensive and administratively daunting process, and often times, travel awards and grants do not account for visa application fees. These fees can easily climb into hundreds of pounds, translating to thousands in other currencies. I’m sharing this to highlight that a fundamental change needs to happen if we are to move towards scientific conferences being inclusive spaces that foster collaborations and networking between people from all over the world. Travel grants should, as far as possible, cover the costs associated with visa applications. Nevertheless, after navigating the daunting process of obtaining a visa—from gathering the necessary paperwork to traveling back and forth between Tuebingen and Munich for my application—finally, it was all systems go!

Liverpool has hosted the BES annual meeting multiple times

Liverpool, a city with a vibrant academic and scientific community, is no stranger to hosting the BES Annual Meeting. With its welcoming atmosphere, it provided the perfect backdrop for this global gathering of ecologists. My first impression of the city was one of warmth (despite it being December)—not just from the locals, but also from the overwhelming sense of collaboration and camaraderie that echoed throughout the conference. As ecologists, these events offer more than just an opportunity to share our work; they are essential for catalysing collaborations that can drive forward global solutions to pressing ecological challenges.

BES2024: a reminder of the breadth of ecological research.

Plenary talks and workshops

The 2024 BES was held at the ACC Liverpool and was well-organised into ten impactful thematic sessions that truly did feel like a “celebration of the wonder of ecology”. Sometimes, as researchers, we spend so much time focusing on our “niche” that we momentarily lose sight of just how wide the field of ecology is. The 2024 BES Annual Meeting was not only an opportunity to engage with fellow ecologists but also a reminder of the breadth and interconnectedness of our field. From theoretical modelling to real-world conservation efforts, the conference offered a window into some of the most pressing and exciting developments in ecology. The plenary talks highlighted just this: including reflections on the importance of the inclusion of local communities in biodiversity conservation acts; and the deployment of ground-up approaches and nature-based solutions in efforts to protect our biodiversity in a planet that is increasingly ecologically threatened. Additionally, the meeting also featured a range of in-person workshops (personal favourite: early career researcher – grant writing workshop) giving delegates the space to learn, interact and share experiences.

An app to optimise conference experiences

Because there were multiple sessions that ran in parallel, I preorganised each day on the meeting app (Whova), adding selected talks to my agenda so I could move according to a personalised schedule. Do you know that moment at a conference where you’ve been having a wonderful conversation with a colleague you just met, and you are genuinely interested in going to listen to their talk or poster? My previous experience was that I would amass multiple “I’ll be sure to come to your poster/talk” but by the time the day ends, I would have a hard time organising myself to go to said posters and talks, particularly at a larger conference. With the Whova app, I could immediately add someone to my agenda, see if it clashes with any other planned talk, and receive reminders to go to those talks. I found that this organised my experience and I could maximise my time to network and interact with fellow ecologists.

Emerging themes and methods

As a blog editor for Methods in Ecology and Evolution, I was particularly interested in the emerging methods discussed at the conference. One exciting development was the increasing use of machine learning in ecological modelling. Researchers discussed how machine learning can be leveraged to predict pollination and senescence in oilseed rape flowers, and to code behavioural patterns in small mammals. This integration of machine learning into ecological research marks a significant shift in how we approach ecological forecasting. It allows for the processing of vast amounts of data and the development of models that can more accurately reflect complex ecological interactions.

I also observed the growing integration of citizen science into biodiversity monitoring. This trend is expanding access to ecological research and enhancing the scale at which data can be collected. By engaging the public in data collection, researchers are able to tap into a broader range of observations that help inform large-scale conservation efforts. This resonated with the plenary delivered by Lucy Waruingi, where community inclusivity and grassroots involvement have played a pivotal role in the success of conservation strategies in Kenya.

Another fascinating example of the intersection between methods and conservation was discussed by Professor Ana Carnaval during her plenary. Her research on the spatial distribution of genetic diversity in response to climate change challenged traditional biogeographical models. By integrating ecological traits, such as body size and dispersal ability, into simulations, Carnaval’s team showed how species may shift in response to climate change in ways that traditional models fail to capture. This research underscores the importance of considering both genetic and ecological data to predict how biodiversity will respond to future climate scenarios.

Social life at BES2024: connections that go beyond science

In addition to the formal sessions, social gatherings played a huge role in enhancing my overall experience. The conference’s social programme provided numerous opportunities for delegates to unwind, build connections, and forge lasting relationships. In addition, people coalesced into spontaneous morning-jog groups through the app, and arranged for evening meet-ups. I arrived at the conference alone, but left having made connections that still persist. I could even squeeze in a trip to London, sightseeing with my new colleague/friend that I met at the conference. It’s a reminder that the conference experience isn’t only about the talks and presentations, but also about the connections made outside the lecture halls. Needless to say, BES2024 was an incredible experience!

As I left the 2024 BES Annual Meeting, I carried with me not just new scientific knowledge and methods, but a renewed sense of connection to the global ecological community, along with lasting memories of the collaborative spirit that makes these conferences so vital to advancing our field.