ASSAB 2023 Conference
Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour 2023 Conference
26 – 28 June 2023: Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
We are delighted to invite you all to attend the 2023 ASSAB conference.
Abstract submission is closed. Registration closes on June 17
Please go to our events page to register. Note, the registration page will not be visible unless you are logged in. So please log in or sign up to be an ASSAB member here
Plenary speakers
Dr Rachael Shaw, Victoria University of Wellington
Understanding animal minds and harnessing cognition for conservation
Dr Rachael Shaw is a Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Rachael completed her BSc Hons at the University of Auckland. She was awarded a PhD at the University of Cambridge where she investigated the mental lives of Eurasian jays. Her current research examines how selection shapes cognitive traits in New Zealand's endemic bird species, as well as how cognitive traits might aid in conservation management in urban landscapes.
Dr Amanda Franklin, University of Melbourne
Dazzling displays: function and perception of iridescence and gloss
Dr Amanda Franklin is a Melbourne Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Melbourne researching animal visual systems and animal colour patterns. She is currently investigating the evolution and function of gloss and iridescence, and how these visual effects are perceived by animals. Previously, Amanda completed her PhD as a Fulbright Science and Technology fellow at Tufts University in Boston, where she researched visual communication and camouflage in stomatopod crustaceans.
Public Lecture
Prof Dieter Hochuli, University of Sydney
Stop, stare and share: how animal behaviour helps us understand how nature thrives in cities
Professor Dieter Hochuli leads the Integrative Ecology research group at the University of Sydney. His research focuses on how biodiversity responds to the unique pressures of urbanisation, with a particular interest in the ecology of iconic birds, mammals, insects and spiders of cities, and their interactions with the environment and the humans who share their world with them
Date: June 27; Time: 5.30-6.30pm
Venue: Mason Theatre, Macquarie University, Sydney.
This is free to attend for all conference participants. Please indicate on the registration page if you plan to attend.
Venue
The conference will be held at the Mason Theatre, Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), Macquarie University. All presentations will be held here. Poster and art displays will be held outside the theatre alongside tea/coffee stations. Mason theatre is adjacent to the Central Courtyard precinct which has food and beverage outlets along with casual outdoor and indoor seating, which we hope will act as excellent networking locales.
There are plenty of public transport options to reach the University. Details here.
You can use your credit card to tap on and off to complete a trip on buses, trains and metros during your visit. More information on NSW Transport.
Registration Cost
Registration includes all days at the conference, evening welcome reception, workshops, lunches, morning & afternoon tea.
Cancellation and refund: If you need to cancel your registration, we are able to provide a full refund. The last date for this is June 10.
Presentation options and Abstract Submission
Full length talks: 12 min
Lightning talks: 3 min
Poster: landscape or portrait orientation is fine. We recommend A0 size, but any size will suit!
The scientific program committee will go through all submissions and prepare the program. While we will make all attempts to meet your presentation preference, there may be some changes to ensure fair distribution of topics, seniority and gender.
Events
Art Competition
As participants of ASSAB 2023, the organising committee invites you to take part in this year's display competition. Displays may include photographs, illustrations, doodles, paintings etc. Only requirement is that they need to be mounted on poster/display boards. We will provide display boards and pins. The artworks will be displayed for the entire duration of the conference.
Similar to previous years, all attendees will have the opportunity to vote on the best art under the following categories.
- Best invertebrate
- Best vertebrate
- An animal (or plant) doing something to another animal
- From the eye of the beholder: artwork from the animal's perspective
Entries are limited to one artwork per person per category
Please print (any size) and bring your artwork to the conference with your name written on the back.
Workshops
- Animal pose tracking from videos - Trevor Murray
- Beyond P-values: effect size estimation and visualisation with the Durga R package - Jim McLean & Kawsar Khan
These workshops will be held during the breaks. More details about these will be included in the program.
Welcome Reception
June 26, 5-8 pm
UBar, Macquarie University Campus
Conference dinner (extra cost):
June 27, 7.30 pm-late
Epping Hotel. This is just one stop away on the metro from Macquarie University, followed by a 10-min walk.
$45 pp; informal buffet style; followed by music, dance. Dinner is optional. Please choose whether you would like to join us for dinner while registering.
Cancellation and Refund
If you have registered and cannot attend the conference, the last date for requesting full refund is June 10.
Enquiries
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us: assab2023conference AT gmail.com
Stay COVID safe. Managing the response to COVID-19 is everyone’s responsibility, and we strongly encourage all conference attendees to keep up to date with the latest NSW Health advice.
