Time to start thinking about ABS 2026 and beyond!
Acting as local host can be a rewarding experience! The host works with the program officer and our management firm SPLtrak, who are very experienced in organizing the meeting. The local host coordinates with local conference or venue services and helps make the vision for the meeting become a reality. If your institution has a conference services office, much of the work of the local host is simply coordinating with them.Interested in serving as local host for a future ABS meeting? Please let us know by filling out the form here.
Join Us at ABS 2025 in Baltimore, MD
Share your science, reconnect with colleagues, and explore the latest breakthroughs in animal behavior research at the Animal Behavior Society’s 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place July 8–12 in Baltimore, Maryland! This exciting in-person event will bring together researchers from around the world to present cutting-edge work, spark new collaborations, and celebrate the vibrant ABS community.Can’t make it to Baltimore? No problem—the virtual conference begins July 21, providing a flexible and inclusive way to participate from anywhere in the world. All presenters, whether attending in person or virtually, should plan to upload a recorded version of their talk to ensure wide accessibility.
Registration is still open, so don’t miss your chance to take part. Visit the conference website for details and to register: https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/2025/
Attendees are encouraged to check the latest travel advisories, and we also suggest purchasing cancellation insurance.
We can’t wait to see you there—whether in Baltimore or online!
Inspiring our members through the Americas: Connecting the U.S. and Latin America
The Latin American Affairs Committee (LAAC) supports a variety of efforts to connect ABS members across the Americas. In addition to partially supporting two conferences on animal behavior in 2024 (Brazil & Mexico), and awarding seven memberships to Latin American students, the LAAC provided funds for ABS members based in the United States to travel to Mexico and Costa Rica to give talks, host workshops, and support student research projects.The LAAC supported Dr. Patricia Lopes, Associate Professor at Chapman University, giving the keynote seminar and a 4 hr workshop at the International Course of Biological Basis of Behavior in Morelia, Mexico. During her trip, Dr. Lopes also gave an invited lecture and supported students developing independent projects at the Behavioral Ecophysiology course in Tlaxcala, Mexico. After her trip, Dr. Lopes wrote: “This trip was truly inspirational. I visited two universities—one for the workshop, the other for the conference—where I encountered exciting research and passionate, collaborative students. I connected with about 10 potential collaborators, received two seminar invitations, and may even host a student in my lab. I firmly believe visits like this, supported by ABS, benefit both visitors and hosts.”
Dr. Ignacio Escalante Meza, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago, was supported to travel to the international field course “Ecología Tropical & Conservación” in Costa Rica where he worked with 20 graduate students, from 14 countries (13 of them Latin American), during 42 days. The participation of Dr. Escalante Meza gave this course a focus on animal behavior and at least two manuscripts are expected from the collaborations with students. You can learn more about LAAC activities and funds provided here: https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/committees-la-affairs.php
Applications Open for MSC in Animal Behaviour
Applications are now open for the September 2025 student cohort on the MSc in Animal Behaviour at the University of Exeter UK! The programme is designed to provide students with a strong background in a broad cross section of theory and research methods used in the study of animal behaviour, animal cognition and behavioural ecology. The programme will give students the opportunity to advance and expand their knowledge in the field of animal behaviour and to gain expertise in the research and statistical methods generally used in Psychology. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to formulate and test relevant research questions, as well as learning to critically evaluate the research carried out by others in the field. The programme will enable students to get an insight into the varied means of doing animal behaviour research in a wide array of locations – zoo, laboratory and in the wild.The teaching and learning methods are a mix of lectures, seminars, practicals and field courses. Overall there will be a strong practical and demonstration element to the programme utilising innovative teaching practices.
The School of Psychology at Exeter has a long tradition of interdisciplinary teaching and research in animal behaviour, and offers PhD degrees in animal behaviour in addition to this MSc.
The full-time MSc is a 12 month course starts in September. The programme is also offered for part-time study over 2 years. For more information visit our web site for prospective postgraduate students: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/psychology/animal/
If you have specific questions on the MSc course not covered in the information available on these pages, or enquiries about your own qualifications, please feel welcome to contact the Course Director, Dr. Andy Higginson, [email protected]
Early Career Research Competition in Biology Letters
In 2022, Biology Letters launched the Early Career Researcher Competition to highlight the best research papers published in the journal by early career researchers (ECRs). We are delighted to announce that the 2025 competition is now open until Wednesday 30 April. The overall winner will receive £1000 and two runners-up will receive £500 each (or currency equivalent). We hope the prizes are particularly helpful for funding new research and/or attending conferences. Please see our terms and conditions before entering or contact the editorial office with your questions.You don’t have to be an ECR to submit to the journal! Take a look at our Information for Authors page for more information on what we publish and how you can get involved.
Further details can be found here!
Now Hiring: Positions in Animal Behavior
Looking for your next opportunity in animal behavior? A variety of academic and research positions are currently available.
Visit the Animal Behavior Society job listings page to explore openings and learn more:
https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/news.php.
If you have a job to post, follow the link in the upper right of that page to share the information.