Annual Scientific Meeting 2026: Emerging approaches for freshwater science
18 March, 2026
Building on the success of last year’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), 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.
We’ll be sharing announcements on our Keynote speakers soon, but once again, the ASM will be supported by a formidable cast of presentations from leading researchers and practitioners in the freshwater ecology sector. Promising unmissable treats such as Dr Craig Macadam, Conservation Director at Buglife, presenting on ‘using machine learning to develop a species identification app for caddis adults’.
The full line-up of speakers will be confirmed in late April, so watch this space!
New for the 2026 ASM: Early Career Keynote Speaker
We are thrilled to be introducing a new ‘Early Career Keynote Speaker’ opportunity. This year’s speaker will be Jess Lister, a PhD student at Edinburgh Napier University, who will share insights into using acoustics to look at differences between call patterns of stonefly adults.
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. 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@fab.org.uk.
Posters from early career researchers are welcome and will feature in a ‘poster pitch’ session in the afternoon, over tea and cake!
FBA Annual Scientific Meeting 2026
Thursday, 11 June, Edinburgh Napier University
‘Emerging approaches for freshwater science’
The FBA Annual Scientific Meeting is an in-person only event. Please save the date!
Final ASM discussion: Connecting activists and scientists
The 2026 ASM will be rounding off with a final discussion session, focusing on the colourful topic of 'Connecting activists and scientists'. Providing a welcome opportunity to grapple with an important question of our time, around whether the scientific community should play a greater and more impactful role in supporting freshwater campaigners. And with the growing importance of data and science to underpin the credibility of campaigns for nature, how do freshwater ecologists feel about the concept of more activist-science and science-based activism? Has the time arrived in 2026 to embrace both, or neither?
The ever more apparent and urgent role of activists and scientists to support our freshwaters will most certainly guarantee some lively and illuminating discourse.
We are looking forward to shining a light on many topics supporting freshwaters and look forward to welcoming you to the ASM on Thursday, 11 June at Napier University, Edinburgh.
Sound interesting? Register for the ASM 2026 today!
Registration fees have been frozen at the 2025 rates of:
FBA members rate £65
FBA student / early career member rate £32.50
Non-member rate £120
Non-member (student) rate £55
Early registration is encouraged as last year’s ASM was a sell-out. You can register in the FBA shop.
Craiglockhart campus at Edinburgh Napier University.
“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. Last year our ASM at Nottingham Trent University was a tremendous success and was a welcoming and inclusive event for folk at all stages of their freshwater studies, research and careers.”
Lindsay Stewart lecture theatre, Craiglockhart campus at Edinburgh Napier University.
We look forward to welcoming you at the FBA ASM
on 11 June 2026 at Edinburgh Napier University!
