An international workshop in an inspiring, isolated location, that will bring together a diversity of ecological and evolutionary disciplines from molecular to modelling and related to the real world. A unique opportunity organised (mostly) by young researchers so that early, mid and late career researchers from around the world can discuss their approaches, assumptions, challenges and - most importantly - contribute their ideas for the future.
What is so special about this workshop?
Just about everything! Limited to just 35 participants, with at least one-third early-career researchers (ECRs), ANdiNA workshops throw away the rule book! There are no presented papers or posters...... Just four days of dialogue and debate - - all made possible using a format designed to establish trust and understanding. We do a lot of talking, both formal and informal, but we also go hiking every afternoon, there is time and fresh air in which to think, and we eat and drink together in the evenings.
Much of the success of the AnDINa workshops comes from the level of participation and involvement that people are prepared to put into such a rare event. Everyone is an active participant: no one gets to just turn up, sit back and listen. You will be allocated (by negotiation) a modest task before, during or after the meeting. Having everybody doing something helps to make it your meeting. You may get to interact with other participants before you even leave home!
Everyone will have the opportunity to be a co-author on at least one discussion paper published in an international journal: the ideas and conclusions reached at every AnDIna workshop must be communicated to those unlucky enough not to attend. Other outcomes are likely to be active international collaborations and life-long friendships.
The cost is low: just US$1000 (free for ECRs) for everything except your travel to San Carlos de Bariloche (Bariloche for short). This includes shared accommodation in the Hotel Tronador, all meals, facilities and organisational costs. But sadly it does not include alcoholic beverages - you must pay for those yourself! The hotel is relatively small and we will have it entirely to ourselves. Deadline for applications was 1 June 2017. We received 72 applications!
Why must you come?
Aren't there too many meetings already? Not like this one! The aims are completely different, offering what other meetings cannot. For experienced researchers, this is a unique opportunity to exchange views on where our science is heading, raise unpublished thoughts and new ideas, challenge the status quo, discover new collaborators and - crucially - help the next generation of researchers to build on the ideas and approaches that you have developed (or wish you had!). For young researchers, you will have the opportunity to spend invaluable time getting to know leaders in your field, debating with them as equals and establishing international networks that may last for your entire career.
If you work in one of the subject areas - in this case range extensions or local adaptation - or related topics and relevant tools, when was the last time you had the opportunity at this level to develop your ideas, throw up challenges, identify problems, present radical ideas and dissenting views on established principles and to brainstorm new germs of ideas? Or to debate the research that will most benefit society as a whole? But the meeting would also be stimulating for those with more general ecological, evolutionary, mathematical, molecular, statistical and social scientists who are natural problem solvers and synthesisers, who are adept at spotting weaknesses in arguments or in playing Devil's advocate, and who are prepared to do some background reading. The workshop is not, however, for the novice who merely wants to learn facts about the topics.
Most places will be assigned through an application process. We try to balance disciplines, experience, gender and region of origin as much as possible. So, as we expect that this workshop will be in high demand, make sure that you get your application in soon!
Organising team We have a great, young team (just one exception) representing four continents and with a really broad range of interests. Half have been at a previous AndinA workshop, while the others have been enticed in, to provide new blood.
Bruce Webber(CSIRO, Perth, Australia; plant ecophysiology) - Program Chair Ingolf Kühn (UFZ, Halle, Germany; macroecology) - Program Committee Brendon Larson (University of Waterloo, Canada; science and society) - Program Committee Kay Hodgins(Monash University, Australia; plant genomics and adaptation) - Program Committee Mariana Chiuffo (Inibioma Conicet, Bariloche, Argentina; invasion biology) - Local Organiser Martin Nunez(Inibioma Conicet, Bariloche, Argentina; invasion biology) - Local Organiser
Roger Cousens (University of Melbourne, Australia; plant population biology) - secretary, treasurer, dogsbody
Attendees
We have no "keynote speakers". Everything is very egalitarian. However, we have invited a few people (at their own expense) to make sure that we will have recognised gurus in a range of areas. These are, in reverse alphabetical order of first names: Spencer Barrett (University of Toronto, Canada; evolution of plant mating strategies) Mike Whitlock (University of British Columbia, Canada; evolution in structured populations) Martin Kropff (CIMMYT, Mexico; sustainable agriculture) Katrina Dlugosch (University of Arizona, USA; evolutionary ecology of colonization and invasion) Dave Richardson (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa; invasion ecology) Bruce Maxwell (Montana State University, USA; weed and invasive plant ecology and management) Alastair Fitter (University of York (retired), United Kingdom; interactions between mycorrhizal fungae and plants) Alan Hastings (UC-Davis, USA; mathematical biology)