We were delighted to host the FIRST Pan African student symposium bringing together early career researchers working on African bats! #AfriPopo2022
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Thank you to our AfriPopo student symposium sponsors:
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This symposium was a great opportunity for students and postdoctoral researchers working across mainland Africa and the surrounding islands to showcase their work, and network with others in the bat research and conservation space. This two day symposium was organised thanks to a student committee (listed at end of this page) with support from Advisors from Bats without Borders and the Durban Natural Science Museum. We are very grateful to our symposium sponsors Wildlife Acoustics and WildTeam.
Why we felt this symposium was needed:
In a time where African biodiversity is experiencing major declines due to climate change and anthropogenic pressures, biodiversity research and collaborations around the continent have become more important than ever to tackle current and potential threats to biodiversity. The AfriPopo Student Symposium brought students together to network, share ideas and increase their knowledge in research and conservation. Research students could either present a talk or poster.
The idea from this conference was taken from BritBats (a student-led symposium for anyone studying bats at a UK institute) - where students have an opportunity to share their work and practice presenting in supportive environment.
Students were very welcome to attend as observers, but we really encourage students to consider presenting a poster or talk - as the event was closed and not recorded is a friendly and supportive environment for you to practice presenting your work.
There will also be an opportunity to network and sign up to workshops. For those presenting, there will be information sessions and tips on preparing your presentation (poster or talk)
A big thank you to all our presenters, student committee and also to our keynote speakers for opening and closing the symposium and to our workshop leaders for additional shared learning.
Keynote speakers:
Dr David Wechuli (early career keynote) - University of Cape Town, South Africa (originally from Kenya)
Professor Peter Taylor - University of the Free State, South Africa (originally from Zimbabwe)
Workshops:
Why we felt this symposium was needed:
In a time where African biodiversity is experiencing major declines due to climate change and anthropogenic pressures, biodiversity research and collaborations around the continent have become more important than ever to tackle current and potential threats to biodiversity. The AfriPopo Student Symposium brought students together to network, share ideas and increase their knowledge in research and conservation. Research students could either present a talk or poster.
The idea from this conference was taken from BritBats (a student-led symposium for anyone studying bats at a UK institute) - where students have an opportunity to share their work and practice presenting in supportive environment.
Students were very welcome to attend as observers, but we really encourage students to consider presenting a poster or talk - as the event was closed and not recorded is a friendly and supportive environment for you to practice presenting your work.
There will also be an opportunity to network and sign up to workshops. For those presenting, there will be information sessions and tips on preparing your presentation (poster or talk)
A big thank you to all our presenters, student committee and also to our keynote speakers for opening and closing the symposium and to our workshop leaders for additional shared learning.
Keynote speakers:
Dr David Wechuli (early career keynote) - University of Cape Town, South Africa (originally from Kenya)
Professor Peter Taylor - University of the Free State, South Africa (originally from Zimbabwe)
Workshops:
- African bat taxonomy (Dr Leigh Richards)
- An introduction to Kaleidoscope Lite by Wildlife Acoustics (Paul Howden-Leach)
- An introduction to the essentials of Project Management by WildTeam (Dr Adam Barlow)
- Career opportunities in ecology, conservation and research (Daniel Phiri, Kate MacEwan and Professor Peter Taylor)
