Annual Scientific Meeting 2026
FBA’s ASM is on Thursday 11 June at Edinburgh Napier University.
We are delighted to announce that the 2026 ASM, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, will be shining a light on ‘Emerging approaches for freshwater science’.
This year’s theme will cover a range of new approaches being used for freshwater science, including bio/hydro acoustics, eDNA, citizen science, drones and the emerging role of machine learning for pattern recognition.
This conference-style event will include keynotes from Jennifer Dodd (Edinburgh Napier University), Bernd Hänfling (UHI Inverness), Jess Lister (PhD student, Edinburgh Napier University) and Brian Hayden (Atomic Ecology).
The ASM will additionally showcase the research and practice of other FBA members including staff, scientists and fellows.
The FBA Annual Scientific Meeting is an in-person only event at Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart campus on Thursday 11 June 2026.
“I am delighted that FBA will be hosting this important knowledge exchange event. This year’s ASM will bring together some of the finest researchers and managers in the freshwater science sector. Innovation in freshwater ecology is moving at a fast pace and this meeting will showcase some of the very best developments in monitoring and research projects, to help better understand and protect fragile freshwater ecosystems.”
– Simon Johnson, FBA Executive Director
ASM 2026 Registration
The ASM is priced to cover the costs of the meeting and includes hot and cold drinks and snacks during the reception and afternoon break, and a buffet lunch.
FBA members rate £65
FBA student /early career member rate £32.50
Non-member rate £120
Non-member (student) rate £55
Travelling to Craiglockhart Campus
The address for Craiglockhart Campus is 219 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1DJ.
Craiglockhart campus is well-served by public transport to and from the city centre. There are also a number of cycle paths in the area and bike storage facilities on site.
All you need to know about travelling to Craiglockhart
You can plan ahead by visiting the Traveline Scotland website for updates and alerts.
For more information, please contact environment@napier.ac.uk.
Water of Leith social meet-up
On Wednesday 10 June, the day before the ASM, we have arranged a social meet-up for us to have a very informal networking opportunity.
We will go for a walk along the Water of Leith (the main river system that flows through the centre of Edinburgh, part of the Forth River catchment). The plan is (details to follow) to meet early afternoon close to the city centre and walk downstream to the mouth of the river, near Leith, and have some drinks and food.
This is an opportunity to meet people from the network and we are especially keen for early or new career freshwater ecologists to come and meet more established members of the network. In short, we hope this will be an excellent opportunity to make some new freshwater friends and build camaraderie to help facilitate fun discussions at the ASM.
We look forward to seeing you there!
If you’re interested in attending the pre-ASM: Water of Leith social meet-up on Wednesday 10 June (early afternoon), please tick the option in the ASM registration form. If you have already registered for the ASM, we will contact you by email separately.
Dean Village nestled on the Water of Leith in Edinburgh, photo by Imran Perwez on Unsplash.
Richard Chadd Bursaries
FBA is also pleased to announce the availability of six £250 ‘Richard Chadd Bursaries’ to support early career researcher and practitioner attendance at the FBA Annual Scientific Meeting in June 2026.
If you would like to apply, please send an expression of interest (no more than 500 words) and CV to FBA Executive Director, Simon Johnson sjohnson@fba.org.uk.
Posters from early career researchers are welcome and will feature in a ‘poster pitch’ session in the afternoon, over lunch.
Introducing the Keynote Speakers at our ASM 2026
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"From highland loughs to pristine chalk streams, diverse and healthy food webs underpin all aspects of freshwater ecosystem function. Come along to learn how naturally occurring chemical tracers can quantify nutrient dynamics, animal diet and food web structure of all aquatic habitats."
– Brian Hayden, Atomic Ecology
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“We are at the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution. Advances in robotics, biotechnology, remote sensing and the internet of things, and AI has meant the amount and quality of information available is expanding exponentially. Navigating this against the backdrop of human bias is challenging but presents exciting opportunities to uncover patterns and novel avenues of exploration.”
– Dr Jennifer Dodd, Edinburgh Napier University
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"Human-made acoustic pollution is now ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. While UK directives and policy statements exist to limit the levels of acoustic pollution in marine and terrestrial environments, no protection exists for freshwater environments. There is a pressing need to gather information about the role of this poorly understood and understudied pollutant in freshwaters."
– Jess Lister, PhD student, Edinburgh Napier University
Annual Scientific Meeting 2026: Agenda
Please note: times & final speakers TBC shortly.
MORNING SESSION: 9.30am-12pm
Welcome to the meeting – Simon Johnson (Executive Director at FBA)
Keynote: Jennifer Dodd (Edinburgh Napier University)
What’s slipping through the net? Identifying gaps in freshwater evidence using Artificial Intelligence.
Craig Macadam (Buglife)
Machine Learning to develop species identification app for caddis adults.
Josie Geris (University of Aberdeen)
Integration of Thermal Infrared Imagery With an In Situ Sensor System Reveals Effects of Thermal Discharge Against Natural Background Variations in Water Temperature.
10.30-11am Break with hot and cold drinks and more snacks
Bernd Hänfling (UHI Inverness)
What can eDNA tell us about freshwater biodiversity?
Lori Lawson Handley (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)
TBC
12-1pm Buffet lunch with hot and cold drinks, and poster viewing
AFTERNOON SESSION: 1.30-3pm
ECR Keynote: Jess Lister (PhD student, Edinburgh Napier University)
The Plecoptera’s Paradiddle – Advancing acoustic approaches to uncover stonefly behaviour.
Louise Lavictoire (FBA)
Move it like you mean it: Multiple methods for evidence-led conservation translocations.
Craig Macadam (Buglife), John Murray-Bligh (Environment Agency) and Rachel Stubbington (Nottingham Trent University)
Part-time freshwaters, full-time ecosystems: Advancing knowledge and management of biodiversity in the UK’s temporary streams.
3-3.30pm Break with hot and cold drinks and more snacks
DISCUSSION SESSION: 3.30-5.30pm
Final ASM discussion: Connecting activists and scientists
Chaired and introduced by Chris Dessent (Founder / Director at Creative Concern, FBA Chair), with case study presentations from Simon Johnson (FBA Executive Director), and Rick Battarbee (Emeritus Professor in Environmental Change at UCL).
Introduction: Chris Dessent
The science of campaigning: Finding the common ground between the Petri dish and the protester.
River Wharfe: Prof. Rick Battarbee
Blurring the boundaries: integration between communities and scientists.
Wensum Riverkin: Simon Johnson
The River Wensum: From ruin towards redemption?
17.30pm Close
The FBA Annual Scientific Meeting is taking place at Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart campus on Thursday 11 June 2026.
We look forward to seeing you there!
