Ardiantiono, Associate Editor mentee of Journal of Applied Ecology, writes about his experience attending the British Ecological Society’s 2024 Annual Meeting for the first time. Registration for the 2025 Annual Meeting in Edinburgh is now open.
Liverpool has long been on my travel wish list. Especially as I initially wanted to visit for Eurovision 2023, but tickets were impossible to get! Fast forward to December 2024, and I finally made it there—this time for an equally exciting event for ecologists: the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting!
As the largest ecological conference in Europe, the BES Annual Meeting was truly massive, hosting over 1,500 attendees and offering countless opportunities to learn and connect. It was an incredible experience, and I’m excited to share my journey at my very first BES Annual Meeting!
The talks
The keynote speeches were nothing short of inspiring! For example, Rob Fish illuminated the critical role that values play in shaping our connection with nature, while Ana Carnaval captivated the audience with her journey as a geneticist integrating ecological research to better understand biodiversity patterns.
With so many sessions to choose from, deciding which ones to attend was a thrilling challenge. Thankfully, the Whova app made the process much smoother, allowing me to bookmark talks, plan my day, and even look up speakers to connect with later.
One of the standout talks was Yadvinder Malhi’s exploration of how tropical ecology research is moving away from “parachute science” to become more inclusive and globally representative. Tatsuya Amano underscored the importance of incorporating non-English language publications into conservation practices, while Clare Collins and Rosetta Blackman showcased the immense potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) for monitoring biodiversity—not only in aquatic environments but also in terrestrial ecosystems.
I also presented my own research on improving monitoring efficiency for tropical mammals through data integration, combining ranger patrol data with camera trap and sign transect data. The response was heartwarming! Attendees reached out afterward to share about their projects and explore opportunities for collaboration, making it an incredibly rewarding experience.
The posters
The poster sessions were another highlight of the conference, brimming with cool research and creative presentations. With two dedicated sessions to accommodate the vast number of posters, there was an incredible amount to learn and admire. Some of my personal favorites included Andrea Tonelli’s compelling research on identifying global hotspots for mammal-borne viruses and Jonathan Growcott’s fascinating use of bioacoustics to identify individual leopards.
One poster that truly stood out for its visual was by Justin Isip. His creative use of a WhatsApp conversation screenshot to illustrate the divergent impacts of land-use change on insects was both eye-catching and effective—a funny and memorable design!
Beyond the content, the poster sessions offered valuable lessons in crafting engaging posters. It was inspiring to see how effectively these elements could communicate complex research to a broad audience.
Social opportunities
Networking was one the highlight of the conference! The BES Annual Meeting made it easy with numerous social sessions during lunch, coffee breaks, and poster presentations. One highlight was the Southeast Asia and Indonesian gatherings, where I met colleagues working in similar regions. It was exciting to discuss shared interests, challenges, and explore possibilities for collaboration.
For those feeling overwhelmed by the scale of a large conference like this, I recommend taking advantage of the quiet corners available throughout the expansive venue. If you need a break, stepping out of a session to recharge is perfectly okay. Attending with friends or reaching out to familiar faces can help, but don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with strangers. Many attendees are eager to chat, and even a simple hello can spark meaningful discussions—after all we are interested in the same thing: ecology! The Whova app was another game-changer, streamlining connections by facilitating chats and scheduling meetings. I used it to arrange one-on-one conversations with (many) people that I’ve never met before to discuss postdoc and collaboration opportunities, making the networking experience both productive and enjoyable.
Beyond participation
I also attended the BES Annual Meeting in a unique capacity as an Associate Editor mentee for the Journal of Applied Ecology. This opportunity allowed me to engage in activities beyond the typical conference experience. I joined the Journal’s editorial meeting, where we discussed ways to enhance the journal experience for both researchers and reviewers. I also participated as a panelist in a live podcast, delving into the “viral” Journal of Applied Ecology paper on the less-known impact of cliff climbing sport on plant and lichen communities.
Additionally, I volunteered as a poster judge, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. I learned firsthand what makes an excellent poster, e.g., you need to have clear objectives, a solid introduction, effective result visualization, and a well-rounded discussion with implications, all while using creative and engaging designs. The six posters I judged were truly impressive, covering diverse topics ranging from the effects of infrastructure on mammals to the germination of seagrass for restoration projects.
If you are looking to make the most out of a conference, I highly recommend taking on roles beyond being an attendee. The BES Annual Meeting also offers slots for volunteers, providing even more opportunities to contribute and gain valuable experience!
Exploring Liverpool
It’s not just about the conference, Liverpool itself was a delight to explore. I marveled at the awe-inspiring Liverpool Cathedral, the largest in the UK and fourth largest in the world! The seafront with the Beatles statue was another must-see, and visiting Port Sunlight was especially meaningful as my Ph.D. was funded by the Leverhulme Trust, which has historical ties to the village.
Final thoughts
Attending the BES Annual Meeting 2024 was an unforgettable experience. From the cutting-edge research and meaningful conversations to the wonderful city of Liverpool, it exceeded all my expectations. This is undoubtedly the largest and most well-organized conference I’ve attended, and I’m grateful for the opportunity!
If you’re an ecologist wondering which conference to prioritize, I will say in a heartbeat: “Go to the BES Annual Meeting – you’re going to love it!”
The next BES Annual Meeting will take place in Edinburgh from the 15th to 18th of December 2025. You can register and find out more information here.
