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The 37th annual European Cetacean Society Conference will be held in wonderful Dundee (Scotland), from 22nd to 24th of April 2026.
The conference theme is:
Basics to Benefits
Every discovery and breakthrough starts with curiosity. This year’s conference theme “Basics to Benefits” celebrates the full journey of marine mammal science - from the foundational research that uncovers knowledge to the applied studies that turn this understanding into action for conservation and management. By embracing contributions from a wide range of sources, and valuing the search for knowledge for its own sake as much as its application, we recognise that today’s discoveries and insights and tomorrow’s applications to conservation and management are both born from the same drive to understand and protect. This theme aims to reflect this spectrum of marine mammal research, exploring and showcasing its challenges and opportunities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
The 37th ECS Conference will be conducted only in the traditional in-person format. All the speakers and poster presenters will be required to attend the meeting in person.
The Conference agenda includes 2 days of workshops (20th and 21st April) and 3 days of plenary sessions (22nd, 23rd, and 24th of April).
Check out the latest information about the Venues and Social Events here (coming soon).
Student members of the ECS can volunteer at the conference and benefit from free registration.
More information about volunteering and requests for support can be found here (coming soon)..
Abstracts
Abstract submission dates will be announced soon, however abstract submission will close on 2nd December. Please note there will be no extension to this deadline.
We will aim to send notifications to authors no later than the 10th of February: keep an eye on your inbox!
Registration
Information about registration will be found here in due time.
Workshops
Workshops will be hosted in several locations throughout Dundee city centre.
Submission of workshop proposals will close on the 9th December.
More info about workshops will be available here in due time.
Travel and Accommodation
We are working with Dundee City Region Convention Bureau to manage travel and accommodation for ECS 2026.
An allocation of rooms at guaranteed rates and terms has been secured with various accommodation providers in and around Dundee. You can book your accommodation and take advantage of these special rates, by following this link.
To make your visit to Dundee as easy as possible, we have collated detailed information on how to travel to Dundee, a guide on how to get around, and information on accessibility, where to eat and drink, and other useful bits and pieces, all of which can be found under this link.
Student accommodation
We are working with Dundee City Region Convention Bureau to ensure we can offer affordable accommodation specifically for students. An allocation of rooms with various accommodation providers has been secured and will be available only to student members of the ECS. More information on how to access and book this student accommodation will be available soon via this link (coming soon).
Visa requirements & ETA
Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – everyone (including children) will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This means if you were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa you will now need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation).
ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK.
You can also check if you need a UK visa by completing a short questionnaire on GOV.UK website.
We are striving to minimise waste production during the conference.
To help us achieve a successful low-waste event, we kindly encourage you
to bring your own water bottle or cup.
Local Organising Committee
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is composed of different members of the Scottish marine mammal community. A diverse and multidisciplinary team has been established, with members from various universities, research and conservation organisations across the whole of Scotland. The LOC is co-chaired by Mariel ten Doeschate (SMASS, University of Glasgow) and Dr Carol Sparling (SMRU, University of St Andrews).
Contacts
ecs2026scotland@europeancetaceansociety.eu
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