African Bioacoustics Community
Conference
1st - 6th November 2020
Stellenbosch
South Africa
The Community
Bioacoustics is a rapidly growing research field globally, but research in Africa and by African scientists is lagging. This is despite access to a wide range of behaviourally interesting and vocal species, unique environments and increasing development resulting in noise pollution.
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Financial constraints limit the attendance of African scientists to international conferences and they lose out on opportunities to learn from and network with experts in the field.
It is with these realities in mind that the African Bioacoustics Community was initiated in March 2018. The African Bioacoustics Community aims to provide a networking forum for people working on all aspects of bio-acoustic research in Africa.
OUR ETHOS
Bioacoustic research from Africa and by African scientists is not well represented in the global field and thus the African Bioacoustic Community strives to shine a light on the achievements of science in Africa. We strive for equal representation, access to crucial learning and networking opportunities, and to provide an environment where information flows freely between scientists, research labs, countries and continents.
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We also strive for sustainability and minimizing our carbon footprint. As far as possible, our conference will be sustainable, plastic-free and carbon responsible. As part of our effort in this matter, we ask that attendees consider carbon-offsetting measures or donating to a cause that aligns with our values.
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Every action we take makes a difference.
For further information email us at:
africanbioacoustics@gmail.com
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or follow our social media:
What is Animal Bioacoustics?
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THE CONFERENCE
The 2020 African Bioacoustics Community conference will build on the success of the first conference held in 2018, provide an opportunities to present your research, learn from some of the best in the field and network with other researchers working on bioacoustic projects within Africa.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Abstract Submission Deadline
Monday 15th June 2020
Close of Early Registration
Monday 17th August 2020
Close of Standard Registration
Wednesday 30th September 2020
Close of Late Regitration
Wednesday 21st October 2020
CONFERENCE FEES:
Early Bird
Developing Nations Registration (Student/Unwaged):
1,900 ZAR
Developed Nations Registration (Student/Unwaged ):
2,500 ZAR
Developing Nations Registration:
2,500 ZAR
Developed Nations Registration:
3,500 ZAR
Standard
Developing Nations Registration (Student/Unwaged):
2,300 ZAR
Developed Nations Registration (Student/Unwaged ):
3,000 ZAR
Developing Nations Registration:
2,900 ZAR
Developed Nations Registration:
4,000 ZAR
Late
Developing Nations Registration (Student/Unwaged):
2,400 ZAR
Developed Nations Registration (Student/Unwaged ):
3,500 ZAR
Developing Nations Registration:
3,000 ZAR
Developed Nations Registration:
5,000 ZAR
Workshop (1 day)
Developing Nations and Student/Unwaged Registration:
Developed Nations Registration:
Single Day Registration:
Exhibitors Registration:
2,300 ZAR
4,000 ZAR
900 ZAR
7,000 ZAR
Registration fee includes payment for the Ice Breaker evening, refreshments, daily lunches and conference kit. It does not include the workshop fees.
There are limited spaces for at-the-door registration, so please book early.
All presenters are required to register before the 17th of August.
TIMELINE:
02 - 05 November 2020
01 November 2020
Four days of Talks
Icebreaker
Workshop (separate payment)
06 November 2020
18:00 - 22:00
09:00 - 17:00
09:00 - 17:00
Pleanary Speakers
Magnus Wahlberg
Associate Professor
University of Southern Denmark
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Plenary Talk:
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Marine Bird Hearing in Air and Underwater
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Magnus Wahlberg is an associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark in the Department of Biology where he also obtained his PhD in bioacoustics. He is the daily leader of the Marine Biological Research Center, where he specialises in hearing and sound production of cetaceans, seals, and marine birds.
David Reby
Professor in Ethology
Université Jean Monnet
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Plenary Talk:
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The Evolution of Size Communication in Mammal Vocalisations
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Prof Reby studies the origin, structure and function of vocal signals in vertebrates at the Université Jean Monnet, France. As part of his work in the Equipe de Neuro Ethologie Sensorielle, he conducts and supervises observational and experimental studies on a wide range of species. By identifying animals precursors of key features of human communication and cognition, his work provides essential background for understanding the evolution of speech. He is also interested in the communication of gender in the human voice and in the voice of human nonverbal vocalisations. Prof Reby was awarded an IDEXLYON Fellowship on the topic of Vocal communication: a comparative approach.
Nicolas Mathevon
Professor at the University of Lyon
Senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France
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Plenary Talk:
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Cracking the Code of Human Baby Cries
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Nicolas Mathevon is Professor of animal behaviour at the University of Lyon, Saint-Etienne, and a senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France. His research revolves around acoustic communication in vertebrates including humans, with a focus on how environmental and social constraints shape the evolution of sound-based information transfer. Prof. Mathevon has been Miller visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and visiting Professor at Hunter College, City University of New York. He is currently President of the International Bioacoustics Society (IBAC)
Alban Lemasson
Professor at the Université de Rennes
Director of Animal and human ethology (EthoS) lab
Martine Hausberger
Director of Research at CNRS, Head of PEGASE Research Team, Head of VOCOM International Research Network
Co-Plenary Talk:
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Rule-Governed Vocal Interactions in Birds and Primates
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Professor Alban Lemasson and Dr Matine Hausberger both work at the Animals and Human Ethology lab (EthoS) located at Rennes 1 University. They collectively have over 300 publications, books and book chapters under their belts mostly dealing with behaviour and interactions between humans and animals and within animal communities. Both Martine and Alban have been awarded the CNRS bronze medal for their scientific contributions.
Tess Gridley
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
University of Stellenbosch
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Plenary Talk:
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From the Heaviside to the Humpback: 13 years of bioacoustic research in Southern Africa
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Based in the Western Cape, South Africa, Dr Tess Gridley is currently a post-doctoral research fellow at Stellenbosch university focusing on novel acoustics methodology to inform conservation actions for the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. In addition, Dr Gridley has been a post-doctoral research fellow at both the Unversity of Pretoria and the University of Cape Town. Dr Gridley is currently serving as a co-director and principal investigator of Sea Search (South Africa) and the associated Namibian Dolphin Project (Namibia) and is the founder of the African Bioacoustics Community.
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