Workshops and Events
There will be a range of events associated with this year's Progressive Palaeontology meeting.
Pre-conference event - Biogeography in Deep Time
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.
Workshops and Museum Tours
This year’s ProgPal is offering conference delegates the choice of four workshops which will take place on the first day of the conference (23rd June 2026). Spaces for workshops are limited.
NHM Marine Vertebrates Tour
London’s Natural History Museum is home to one of the most extensive and exquisite collections of marine reptiles in the UK, with many specimens collected by Mary Anning. On this guided tour, delegates will be taken into the collections to view the highlights of the marine reptiles collection not usually seen by the public. This tour is limited to 15 spaces so please sign up when you register for the conference.
NHM Invertebrate Tour
London’s Natural History Museum is home to a huge array of invertebrate fauna, ranging from sponges to annelid worms and cephalopods. The NHM’s invertebrates are comprehensive, encompassing all seven continents and found throughout the Phanerozoic. Delegates will be able to view a number of specimens usually hidden from public view. This tour is limited to 15 spaces so please sign up when you register for the conference.
Grant Museum Tour
The Grant Museum of Zoology is a UCL natural history museum and is home to 100,000 specimens, from all over the world. This tour will highlight a number of interesting palaeontological specimens that this collection has to offer. In addition to the guided tour, delegates will be able to wander around the museum and see extant specimens throughout the animal tree of life. Delegates will be escorted to and from the museum with a member of the ProgPal committee. This tour is limited to 15 spaces so please sign up when you register for the conference.
PalAss Guide to Publishing
An event hosted by PalAss’ Publications Officer, Dr Sally Thomas, on the general publishing process. Delegates will learn how to prepare a manuscript and navigate the post-submission process as well as how to peer-review a manuscript. This includes selecting the right journal for your work, understanding peer review and handling reviewer comments on your manuscript. This event aims to help delegates gain the confidence to successfully publish their research. This workshop will have no limitation for how many delegates can attend.
Icebreaker
Our icebreaker will be held at the Institute Bar, part of the Institute of Education and will include a palaeo-themed pub quiz, along with an opportunity to socialize in the Bar afterwards. The Bar stocks a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Delegates will also be able to take advantage of the Bar’s amazing student discount, a must for a London-based conference.
Annual dinner
This year, the conference dinner will be held in Riding House Bloomsbury, a brasserie/restaurant located in the heart of Bloomsbury and only a 10-minute walk from the Institute of Education. Guests will be treated to a luxury three course dinner with a variety of inspired dishes from across the globe to enjoy in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. During registration, guests will be presented with the group menu from which they can choose their three courses. This dinner will be charged at £58 per guest and is limited to 40 people, so please sign up when you register for the conference. https://www.riding.house/assets/group-a-winter25-merged.pdf Group Menu B
Field-trip
This year’s field-trip will be at Abbey Wood, a vast woodland, park and a ruined abbey. Located in South East London, this site is dated to the Eocene, approximately 55 million years old. These Eocene beds are rich in sharks’ teeth, fossil shells and sometimes mammal and bird remains, so a cool find is virtually guaranteed. Lunch will not be provided, so we ask delegates not to forget to bring something to eat. Travel to the site will be on London public transport, otherwise there will be no fees for this trip. This tour is limited to 15 spaces so please sign up when you register for the conference.
