Dear colleagues, Please kindly see below the announcement for an upcoming workshop on breeding system evolution, to be held in Guangzhou (China) this summer.
Best regards, Fangyuan Hua, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Program in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Princeton University ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Workshop in Social Evolution Guangdong, China, 29 June ?C 3 July 2014 We are pleased to announce the *Postgraduate Training Workshop in Breeding System Evolution* in Guangdong, China, June 29 - July 3, 2014. The principal goal of this workshop is to understand how conflict and cooperation drive breeding system evolution in various animals. This goal will be achieved by discussing functions and mechanisms of breeding systems, incorporating approaches from behavioural ecology, genetics, and evolutionary biology as well as evaluating state-of-the-art research tools such as comparative phylogenetic analyses and genomics. *Please see further details below, or contact one of the organisers* Dr Yang Liu, email: [email protected] Professor Tamas Szekely, email: [email protected] ----- *Background* Social behaviour that involves interactions among conspecifics is a basic feature in the lives of animals and humans. In the context of breeding systems, the interests of males and females are usually different and this can lead conflicts between individuals. However, selfish males and female can be cooperative. Thus both conflict and cooperation drive much of social behaviour including breeding systems. Understanding breeding systems is a source of constant fascination to many biologists, social scientists and bio-medical scientists. Purpose of the workshop The main goals of this workshop are to - learn modern concepts and recent research progress in breeding system evolution; - acquire knowledge and advanced skills in studying breeding system evolution using a variety of animal systems including insects, fishes, birds and mammals; - provide opportunities for students to interact with some of international leading researchers in the fields; - designate intense training workshops to learn key skills in social behaviour research; - develop critical thinking and aptitude to phrase scientific ideas; - establish contacts between Chinese and international students; - discuss joint publicatitons and research grants between workshop participants. Major activities during the Workshop - Research seminars by Invited Speakers - Working groups of 6-8 students each lead by an Invited Speaker to discuss specific topics in sex roles, mating systems, sexual selection and parental care - Faculty members will assist the students to make intensive discussion centered around topical areas of breeding system evolution - Presentation of students in the forms of talks or posters - Student presentation will be informally evaluated and comments provided by the faculty members - A welcome reception (cultural evening) and a farewell party - Field excursion at Heishiding Nature Reserve after the Workshop Confirmed invited speaks include - Prof Gerald Heckel (University of Bern, Switzerland) - Prof Hans Hofmann (The University of Texas at Austin, USA) - Dr Michael Huffman (Kyoto University, Japan) - Prof Michael Jennions (Australian National University, Australia) - Dr Hope Klug (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, USA) - Prof Dingzhen Liu (Beijing Normal University, China) - Prof Tamas Szekely (University of Bath, UK) Program 29 June ?C 3 July 2014 (Sunday to Thursday). The Workshop will start on Sunday evening with registration, welcome reception and a social event, and will end Thursday morning. The academic events will take place between Monday to Wednesday all day. A finalized timetable will be annouced in due course. Venue The Workshop will be based at the Field Station of Sun Yat-Sen University inside Heishiding Nature Reserve (23°27′N，111° 53′E), northwest Guangdong (see https://www.google.com/maps? t=m&ll=23.459874,111.896602&z=12&q=Heishiding+Nature+Reserve+%E9%BB%91%E7%9F %B3%E9%A1%B6%E8%87%AA%E7%84%B6%E4%BF%9D%E6%8A%A4%E5%8C%BA&cid=0xd1e61006590f c804&output=classic ). The Reserve covers about 4000 ha of evergreen broad-leaved forest, and it is designated as a one of the reference location of CTFS (*Center for Tropical Forest Science*) global network. *Host* School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University *Co-host* Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University The Biology Museum, Sun Yat-sen University Organizers - Dr. Yang Liu, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, China - Prof. Tamas Szekely, University of Bath, UK - Prof. Hong Pang, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, China - Dr. Peng Zhang, School of Sociology and Anthropology , Sun Yat-sen University, China *Registration* The Field Station can accommodate up to 40 participants that will include postgraduate students (PhD and MSc students), post-docs and early-career scientists from China and elsewhere. We anticipate 50% - 50% of participants from China and abroad, respectively. To register this Workshop, please submit a cover letter that explains your motivation for attendance, description of your current research topic and the title of your proposed presentation (if any), and a CV (maximum 2 pages) to Dr Yang Liu before 15 March 2014. Applications will be assessed and participants will be informed by 1 April 2014. The full cost of Workshop attendance will be *400 Euro* that includes all meals and shared accommodation in Heshiding Nature Reserve for the full workshop period, registration fee, social events and transportation from Guangzhou Airport to Heishiding. To book a place *100 Euro* deposit will be required payable before 1 May 2014. Yang Liu <[email protected]>
