Social Events

As well as a packed programme of presentations and workshops, there are also many social and networking events, providing great opportunities to meet old colleagues and create new connections.

Tuesday 10 December

Welcome Mixer

We’re excited to kick things off this year with a great social event giving you plenty of opportunity to mingle before the conference begins! Come and meet your fellow delegates at the BES2024 Welcome Mixer.

Freshers’ Function supported by Wildlife Research Journal

This event is for anyone new to our Annual Meeting, or new to scientific conferences. The session aims to arm you with the tools necessary for successful networking. Whether you shudder at the idea of chatting to complete strangers, or don’t mind the process but would like your efforts to be more targeted and effective – this session is for you. It’s a great way to get to know your peers in an informal setting before the main Welcome Mixer.

Wednesday 11 December

Mentoring Workshop Breakfast

Suitable for both early career, mid career and senior ecologists, mentoring is a way to help fellow ecologists fulfil their potential by providing unique perspectives and advice, inspire, and support each other. Join us for juice, teas and breakfast to find out more about how to get involved.

Poster Session 1 

Poster Session 1 will take place in the Exhibition Area (Hall 2A) from 18:00 – 19:30 on Wednesday 11 December. Group A posters will be presented.

Meet the SIGs 

Come and meet our Special Interest Groups on Wednesday 11 December to learn more and get involved. Our volunteer groups provide a focus of activity in specific areas of ecology and organise meetings and exciting events throughout the year. Leading on from this session our SIG Socials will take place at various locations in Liverpool. See below for more information.

SIG Socials

After the meet and greet sessions, join our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for some friendly socials. Please check the conference app for details and locations of each of the events, as the socials will not be held at Liverpool ACC.

Aquatic SIG

Join the Aquatic SIG for an informal social evening of drinks and a chat at the Pump House, everyone is welcome! Meet at the Aquatic SIG table in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at The Pump House, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AN.

Climate Change and Ecological Genetics SIGs

Join us for a joint social hosted by the Climate Change and Genetics SIGs at Malmaison Liverpool! We’re bringing together colleagues for an evening of food, fun, and conversation. Enjoy a delicious spread, test your knowledge in a pub quiz, and mingle with peers from both fields! Meet at the Climate Change and Ecological Genetics SIG tables in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at Malmaison Liverpool, 7 William Jessop Way, Liverpool, L3 1QZ.

Conservation Ecology and Macroecology SIGs

Once again the Conservation Ecology and Macroecology SIGs are teaming up for an evening of pizza, drinks, and a pub quiz at the Dough Bar in central Liverpool. This is always one of the biggest SIG socials of the conference, offering a great opportunity to network with colleagues from across ecological disciplines in a relaxed and fun setting. All are welcome—don’t miss out!

Meet at the Conservation Ecology and Macroecology SIG tables in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at Dough Bar, Grand Central Hilbre Street, Liverpool L3 5GA.

Invasion Science SIG

Join the Invasion Science SIG for an evening of lively discussions and networking over drinks and snacks at Gravity Max! Whether you’re passionate about invasive species or just want to connect with like-minded ecologists, this social offers a relaxed setting to share ideas and make new connections. Meet at the Invasion Science SIG table in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at Gravity Max, Chavasse Park, Liverpool L1 3DF.

Movement Ecology SIG

It is that time of the year again! Join us for our popular annual MoveSIG social event at Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery from 19:15, to chat about movement ecology and meet new people. It is a great opportunity to make connections and maybe win a prize at our famous Movement Ecology Quiz! There might be also a brand new additional social activity happening. We will report on what we did in 2024, in particular our fabulous Annual Conference in Southampton and present our popular Movement Ecology blog ‘Notes from the field’, where we showcase your study species and study areas, based on your studies. One thing for sure, we look forward to discuss with you what we should do in 2025 – come find out!

Meet at the Movement Ecology SIG table in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery, Tower Bldg, 7 Tower Gardens, Liverpool L3 1LG.

Palaeoecology and Peatlands & Wetlands SIGs

Join both the Paleoecology and Peatland and Wetland SIGs this year the Ship and Mitre for a quiz to test how well you know an acrotelm from entomophily! Meet at the Palaeoecology and Peatlands & Wetlands SIG tables in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at The Ship and Mitre, 133 Dale St, Liverpool L2 2JH.

Parasites & Pathogens and Microbial Ecology SIGs

Join us for an evening of food, drinks and a friendly quiz as the Parasite & Pathogen SIG and Microbial SIG come together for a joint social at Brewdog Liverpool. Look forward to seeing you there for a fun evening and a great opportunity to meet colleagues old and new!

Meet at the Parasites & Pathogens and Microbial Ecology SIG tables in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at BrewDog, Manolis Yard, 8 Colquitt St, Liverpool L1 4DE.

Teaching & Learning and Quantitative Ecology SIGs

This year the re-established Quantitative Ecology SIG, and the Teaching and Learning Group, are teaming up for a joint social at the Pump House! We invite anyone interested in teaching and learning or quantitative ecology, and especially the brave amongst you who teach quantitative methods. It will be a relaxed evening with food, for networking, catching up with colleagues and learning about the groups. You can also join in our multi-round numbers game – a bit of trivia perhaps, bingo or our take on countdown (don’t worry, there’ll be no R, unless that’s what the people want…) We hope to see you there!

Meet at the Teaching & Learning and Quantitative Ecology SIG tables in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at The Pump House, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AN.

Rewilding SIG

Come join the Rewilding SIG for a lively evening full of Pizza, a pub quiz and chats on all things rewilding and nature recovery at the Head of Steam Liverpool! Meet at the Rewilding SIG table in the registration area at 19:00 after the Meet the SIGs session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the SIGs session join the social at 19:15 at The Head of Steam, 85 Hanover St, Liverpool L1 3DY

Grants Drop-in

Talk to the Grants Officer and members of the Grants Committee about your research and outreach ideas. Get some grant writing tips and learn about our new grants portfolio, which includes long term research grants, pedagogical grants and supporting Ecologists from the Global South.

Thursday 12 December

Christian Breakfast

On Thursday Morning of the conference there will be a Christian Breakfast. All are welcome to attend, and food, tea and coffee will be provided.

Speed Review

Have a paper idea reviewed fast – by an editor! The BES journals are running a speed review session where you can get an editor’s opinion on your manuscript. All you need to do is sign up at the BES stand and bring along a figure or a key finding from your research to have a discussion and get some feedback.

Poster Session 2 

Poster Session 2 will take place in the Exhibition Area (Hall 2A) from 17:00 – 18:30 on Thursday 12 December. Group B posters will be presented.

Freshers’ Next Steps

Meet the Networks

Come and meet our Networks on Thursday 12 December to learn more and get involved. Each network will have their own individual stand where you can find out more about joining the network, speak to the committee members, and enjoy smaller chats with other members of your respective network.

Intersectional Ecology Community Mixer hosted by the Alder, Edge and Seed Networks

This year we’ll be joining together three of our community networks into one large social event. Join us on Thursday 12 December 19:15 – 20:15 at PINS Social Club for an informal and relaxed opportunity to mix and chat with fellow ecologists over refreshments. Meet at the Alder, Edge and Seed tables at 19:00 after the Meet the Networks session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the Networks session join the social at 19.15 at PINS Social Club Liverpool, 45 – 61 Duke St, Liverpool L1 5AP

Reed Network

Reed is back at the Annual Meeting! Come and join an evening full of food, games, and a friendly atmosphere to chat! This session will offer members the opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed and safe space, and a chance to find out what Reed has planned for the next year too. This social is open to everyone that identifies as a person of colour and is attending the Annual Meeting, and you don’t already need to be a member to join the social. Meet at the Reed table at 19:00 after the Meet the Networks session to walk over to the venue as a group. If you are unable to attend the Meet the Networks session, you can meet us at the ACC reception shortly after 19:00 to walk to the venue. We hope to see you there!

BES2024 Annual Meeting Party

Join us after supper at PINS Social Club and enjoy a couple of free drinks, live music, DJ and access to a range of activities including ten-pin bowling, shuffle board and pool. There’s also a photobooth and a karaoke bar – all included in your ticket price! So, you can choose the spend the evening on the dance floor, or if you prefer, chatting with colleagues and making new connections. It’s not one to be missed!

Friday 13 December

Christmas Day

On the last day of the meeting, we invite you to start celebrating the holidays with Christmas Day! We encourage you to come to the meeting in festive attire (jumpers, ties, tinsel, and reindeer antlers – whatever takes your fancy)!