Dr. Anna Walentowitz: Island biogeography under global change

We are pleased to feature Dr. Anna Walentowitz from the University of Bayreuth as one of this year’s keynote speakers. She is an inspiring researcher whose work brings fresh perspectives to the field of biogeography. Anna Walentowitz explores the dynamics of biodiversity on islands and how human activities have shaped these ecosystems over millennia. Her research addresses the interplay between natural processes such as volcanic activity and anthropogenic drivers like species introductions, revealing how these forces influence vegetation patterns and community composition. Combining long-term data, remote sensing, and species distribution modelling, her work sheds light on floristic homogenization and the emergence of novel ecosystems. Through her creative approach and interdisciplinary thinking, she contributes to a deeper understanding of global change impacts on insular biodiversity.

Prof. Richard Field: Is science at risk? Trust and integrity in the age of AI and predatory publishing

We are excited to have Prof. Richard Field from the University of Nottingham lead an interactive keynote session on a topic that strikes at the heart of our scientific community: the future of publishing and the integrity of science. Rather than a traditional lecture, Richard will engage the audience in an open conversation about whether the foundations of our system, built on trust and transparency, are beginning to erode. As Editor-in-Chief of Global Ecology and Biogeography and a long-standing contributor to the biogeography community, he brings unique insights into the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in manuscript preparation, the rise of fake papers, and the growing threat of predatory journals. These developments raise urgent questions about research integrity and the credibility of science itself. With his deep experience in both research and publishing, Richard will guide a thought-provoking dialogue on how we can collectively safeguard the quality and trustworthiness of scientific knowledge in an era of rapid change.