The Community
Globally, bioacoustics is a rapidly growing field of research. However, despite access to a wide range of behaviourally interesting and vocal species, unique environments, and increasing development resulting in noise pollution, bioacoustic research in Africa and by African scientists is comparatively lagging.
Financial constraints limit the opportunities for African scientists to learn from and network with experts in the field through international conferences, workshops, and courses etc.
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 Bioacoustics Community strives to shine a light on the achievements of bioacoustics research in Africa. We work towards equal representation, access to crucial learning and networking opportunities, and providing an environment where information flows freely between scientists, research labs, countries, and continents.
Sustainability and minimizing our carbon footprint is something we value highly and we work hard to ensure that our events are sustainable, plastic-free and carbon responsible. As part of our effort in this matter, we ask that members of our community consider carbon-offsetting measures or donating to a cause that aligns with our values.
Every action we take makes a difference.
Diversity and Inclusion are as necessary as ABC
The African Bioacoustics Community wants to make the science of sound accessible to the continent of Africa. We cannot achieve this without a diverse and inclusive mindset, valuing new ideas, and celebrating different approaches. We hope to foster connection and relationships between people who are passionate about the unique and fascinating field of bioacoustics.
After all, Community is in our name.
Our ultimate goal is to provide a socially and environmentally conscious place for researchers to network, to learn and to share their research in the field of bioacoustics.
THE CONFERENCE
The African Bioacoustics Community hosts a biennial conference that brings together individuals from around the world who are interested in bioacoustics.
These conferences provide opportunities for underrepresented scientists based in Africa to present their research, learn from some of the best in the field and network with other researchers working on bioacoustic projects in Africa.
2022 ABC CONFERENCE
2nd - 7th OCTOBER
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Preliminary Conference Programme:
2nd - Icebreaker Event
3rd - 6th - Conference Proceedings
7th - Workshops
Abstract Submission is OPEN!!
Head over to our Abstracts page to make your submission today
BELOW ARE THE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEES
AVAILABLE FROM NOW UNTIL THE 31ST OF MAY 2022
Conference Registration Fees
Student (low-income country)
Student (high-income country)
Standard (low-income/ unwaged)
Standard (high-income/ professional)
Conference Extras
Workshop Registration
Conference Banquet
Exhibitor Registration Fees
Standard Exhibitor Stand *includes 1 conference registration
3000 ZAR
3900 ZAR
4000 ZAR
4900 ZAR
500 ZAR
300 ZAR
9500 ZAR
200 USD
260 USD
265 USD
327 USD
33 USD
20 USD
633 USD
176 EUR
229 EUR
235 EUR
288 EUR
29 EUR
19 EUR
559 EUR
150 GBP
195 GBP
200 GBP
245 GBP
25 GBP
16 GBP
475 GBP
NOTE:
Conservation tariffs are included in the conference fees for the duration of the event for registered delegates. If a delegate brings any family members, daily conservation fees will apply (visit the Kruger National Park website for more information). Registering your family members/ loved ones that are tagging along would be a huge saving (and a very cool experience for them to learn something new!).
Plenaries
Julie Kern
Plenary talk title: Bioacoustics and behaviour in Africa's smallest mammal, the dwarf mongoose
Background: Julie Kern is a behavioural ecologist with a focus on communication and cooperation in mammal communities. In January 2020 Dr Kern joined the University of New England, NSW, Australia, as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Her work focuses on communication, specifically the use of social information, cooperation, and social relationships.
Marco Gamba
Plenary talk title: The song of the indris in space and time: what we know and what we (still) do not know!
Background: Marco Gamba is a Researcher in Zoology in the Department of Life Sciences And Systems Biology at the University of Torino. In recent years, Marco combined anatomical analyses of the vocal apparatus and acoustical analyses to create computational models of non-human primate vocal tract in order to simulate vocal tract resonance. His long time interest in sounds and music led him to a growing interest in bioacoustics. Gamba’s current works are focused on several distinct areas of research, all based around improving our understanding of Primate phonation and vocal abilities.
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Stephanie Plön
Plenary talk title: Listen carefully for sound conservation
Background: Stephanie Plön has been researching cetaceans in Eastern Cape waters, South Africa, for the past 27 years, focusing on the general ecology of local species, including their natural history, reproductive biology, and trophic ecology, but also anatomy, population ecology and genetics, strandings, pathology and health assessments. For this Prof. Plön uses a diverse array of research methods and collaborates widely with colleagues in related research fields to gain a more holistic picture of variations in the populations found in our local Eastern Cape waters in South Africa. Increasingly, Prof. Plön has pursued an integrative and comparative research approach, combining various lines of investigation and using them to cross-inform each other.
Supporters
