In conjunction with the Centre for Biodiversity Analysis (CBA)-sponsored Workshop on Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics, the CBA are hosting a one-day symposium and workshop in Canberra on Landscape Genomics.

Since its inception in 2003, the field of landscape genomics has seen a revolution in high-throughput sequencing technology, availability of high resolution geospatial datasets, and a growing number of analytical methods capable of merging these towards the advancement of spatial genomic theory. While substantial progress has been made within the individual disciplines that contribute to landscape genomics (genomics, landscape ecology, & spatial statistics), bridging the knowledge and communication gap to unite these highly technical and distinct disciplines still poses a significant challenge.

This symposium aims to bring together top Australian and international scientists, early career researchers, and students working in the field of landscape genomics to discuss methodological and theoretical advancements as well as challenges we have faced and potential solutions for overcoming these. In particular, we aim to stimulate dialog and increase cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers tackling landscape genomics questions from different backgrounds.

Potential topics/questions of interest

• Bridging the communication and knowledge gap between geneticists, landscape ecologists, and spatial statisticians/modellers
• Sampling design – moving from population to individual-based approaches
• Spatial autocorrelation between population structure and environmental gradients – challenges of developing meaningful null models, not throwing the baby out with the bathwater
• Dealing with confounding issues of cryptic species and/or spatial introgression
• Historical vs current demography/connectivity in a landscape context
• Detecting SNP-environment associations in adaptation studies – best practices
• Applied landscape genomics – moving from models to conservation management

Each presenter will also provide one slide to highlight 'roadblock(s)' experienced and how this was solved (or worked around). After lunch, we will explore these roadblocks and share possible solutions.

Draft program  

• 9am  Keynote speaker presentations
• 11am Coffee break
• 11.30am Contributing speaker presentations (10 min Lightning Talks*)
• 1pm Lunch
• 2pm Group discussion around impediment slides
• 4-5pm  Social Hour – continuing discussions over drinks and food 

* If you would like to present a 10 minute Lightning Talk, please send your talk title to claire.stephens@anu.edu.au by Monday 22 July.

Registration will close Friday 26 July and is $20 per person. This will include morning tea and food and drinks for the Social Hour. Lunch will not be provided, however ANU's new Kambri precinct is nearby, or there is a kitchen with fridge/microwave near the seminar room if you would like to bring your own. Information on parking at ANU can be found here and the closest carparks to the Research School of Biology are the Sullivans Creek carpark and Union Court carpark.