Overview
Since opening in 1826 as a central hub for research and innovation, UCL has showcased a range of strengths in palaeontological research, with its departments of Earth Sciences and Life Sciences drawing from numerous disciplines including climatology, geochemistry and biology, in order to answer the most pressing palaeontological questions. In 2026, UCL celebrates 200 years of innovative, ground-breaking research and teaching the next generation of scientists and policy makers. ProgPal aims to bring together this future generation and help them develop into confident, robust researchers. We believe that UCL’s bicentennial celebrations will prove to be an inspiring and appropriate backdrop for ProgPal 2026, and one which delegates will feel proud to be part of. Below we lay out the proposed events, workshops and field-trip as well as possible venues and accommodation. ProgPal is run by postgraduate students for postgraduate students, and we look forward to welcoming you to this supportive and friendly meeting.
Host Committee:
Charlie Scherer – first Year PhD, Department of Earth Sciences
Amara Reed – third Year PhD, Department of Earth Sciences
Aamir Mehmood – first Year PhD, Department of Earth Sciences
Mingjing Zhang – second Year PhD, Department of Earth Sciences
Jack Hooper – second Year PhD, Genetics, Evolution & Environment
George Watts – first Year PhD, Department of Life Science
Elias Warshaw – first Year PhD, Department of Life Science
Venues
Institute of Education: Poster session
Kathleen Lonsdale Building room 126: Pre-conference event, Talks, Auction, Awards, Closing
Institute Bar, Institute of Education: Icebreaker
Palaeoartists
- No booth fee
- Must agree to meeting Code of Conduct, no entry to talks, exhibition area only.
- Two spaces for palaeoartists due to venue limitations.
Merch
- T-shirts - S, M or L £15
- Tote Bags £5
Travel and accommodation
- Transport links: Multiple train stations are in close proximity to UCL’s Bloomsbury campus including Paddington, Waterloo, King’s Cross St Pancras and Euston. The latter two stations are approximately 10 minutes away from UCL and have multiple links across London via the London Underground. Closest bus services operate on Euston Road and are a five minute walk from Campus. All stations and UCL facilities have disabled access.
- Accommodation near and around UCL: Various Travelodges, Premier Inns and 2–4-star hotels surround the Bloomsbury Campus and the surrounding area. Prices vary from ~£30 to ~£125 per night and space may be limited during the conference dates, so be sure to book in advance.
Dates and timings
Registration
- Opens 19th March 2026
- Abstract submission deadline: 16th April 2026
- 250 words limit
- Four abstract submission options: Poster, Lightning Talk, Full Talk, Keynote Speaker
Monday 22nd June
Registration: 12:00–17:00
Pre-conference event: Biogeography in Deep Time–16:00–18:00 (150 cap.)
Delegates will learn about some of the computational methods used at UCL to study
biogeographic history and will have the opportunity to apply these methods in a practical-
based session. Delegates will be required to bring their own laptops with R installed. We can
provide instructions on how to install the required R packages in the Conference Abstract
Booklet if needed.
Tuesday 23rd June
Registration: 09:00–17:00
Workshop: NHM Vertebrate Palaeontology Collection tour: 10:00–11:00 (15 cap.)
Workshop: NHM Invertebrate Palaeontology Collection tour: 10:00:11:00 (15 cap.)
Workshop: Grant Museum tour: 12:00–13:00 (15 cap.)
Workshop: PalAss guide to Publishing: 12:00–13:00 (150 cap.)
Poster session: 14:00–16:30
Icebreaker: Palaeo-Pub Quiz: 17:00–19:00
Wednesday 24th June
Registration: 09:00 – 17:00
Opening remarks: 09:00 – 09:15
Keynote Speaker: 09:15 – 09:45
Coffee break: 09:45 –10:00
Session 1: 10:00 – 11:30
Lighting talk: 10:00 – 10:05
Regular: 10:05 – 10:20
Regular: 10:20 – 10:35
Lightning: 10:35 – 10:40
Regular: 10:55 – 11:10
Regular: 11:10 – 11:25
Lightning: 11:25 – 11:30
Coffee break: 11:15 – 11:30
Session 2: 11:30:–13:00
Lighting talk: 11:30 –11:35
Regular: 11:35 – 11:50
Regular: 11:50 – 12:05
Lightning: 12:05 – 12:20
Regular: 12:20 – 12:35
Regular: 12:35 – 12:40
Lightning: 12:40 – 12:45
Lunch: 12:45-14:00
Session 3: 14:00 – 15:30
Lighting talk: 14:00 – 14:05
Regular: 14:05 – 14:20
Regular: 14:20 – 14:35
Lightning: 14:35 – 14:40
Regular: 14:40 – 14:55
Regular: 14:55 – 15:10
Lightning: 15:10 – 15:15
Coffee break: 15:15 – 15:30
Session 4: 15:30 – 16:45
Lighting talk: 15:30 – 15:35
Regular: 15:35 – 15:50
Regular: 15:50 – 16:05
Lightning: 16:05 – 16:10
Regular: 16:10 – 16:25
Regular: 16:25 – 16:40
Lightning: 16:40 – 16:45
ProgPal Auction, Awards (two prizes courtesy of PeerJ Open Access Publishing), Closing
remarks: 17:00 – 18:00
Dinner: 19:00 – 22:00 (40 cap., Riding House Bloomsbury)
Thursday 25th June
ProgPal field-trip: Abbey Wood Fossil Pit: 09:30 – 16:00
Travel to Abbey Wood Elizabeth Line station, arrive at ~09:30 (attendees to pay for own travel)
Arrive at pit: ~10:00
Lunch: 12:00 – 13:00 (lunch not provided, attendees must bring packed lunch)
Leave at ~15:00
Arrive back at UCL: ~16:00