University of Aberdeen - School of Biological Sciences

01/04/2025

BSc Conservation Biology student Emma McBride was invited to present her work at Posters in Parliament!

Emma presented a poster on her project: The Short-Term Impact of River Restoration on Birds. Attending a workshop on the importance of research in the parliamentary process to networking with fellow students, her visit to London sounds inspiring.

She wrote a blog about her 'unforgettable' experience, you can read it here: http://abdn.io/1ly

27/03/2025

Photo club has met again! Here is a selection of the photos taken throughout February:

🐦 Eilidh Shannon's Robin
🐦 Icy gulls at Duthie Park by Louise Page
🐦 Sculpture art in Stonehaven by Anita Shepherd
🐦 Dagmar Henner's frost on a magnolia bud
🐦 A long-tailed tit photographed by Laura Howell
🐦 Frithjof Kuepper's Barnluasgan, Knapdale, Argyle
🐦 Spectra in Union Terrace Gardens by Adam Price
🐦 Georgina Hunt's photo from Santa Cruz, Galapagos, of a penguin chick
🐦 A royal albatross by John Speakman on the South Island, New Zealand

25/03/2025

Tomorrow is the final talk in the Women in Ocean Science series exploring our female expert's work, careers, experiences and more.

This week in the Zoology Lecture Theatre, Alison Brand will talk about an exciting career that both involves research into underwater noise, as well as running her own company. Hear her talk on March 26th at 2pm.

20/03/2025

Here's Veronika Ljungberg talking about elephant language at the recent Pecha Kucha event recently!

Pecha Kucha is a Japanese "chit-chat" where the presenter can use 20 slides, for 20 seconds per slide to explain their work.

It was a brilliant night for all involved and the projects discussed showcased our wide ranging research!

17/03/2025

Every Wednesday in March, there will be a talk in the Zoology Lecture Theatre organised by Women in Ocean Science, with our female experts speaking on their work, their challenges and their successes.

This week Beth Scott will give an overview of the many disciplines she works in from marine ecology to oceanography and fisheries sciences on March 19th at noon.

Alison Brand will talk about an exciting career that both involves research into underwater noise, as well as running her own company, next week on March 26th at 2pm.

13/03/2025

This month, our school was part of the North American counsellor tour. It was lovely to run a session and show off our facilities!

12/03/2025

Tomorrow is the University of Aberdeen Postgraduate Virtual Open Day!

Chat live with academics and students, and explore our campuses virtually! Sessions run from 10am to noon and 5pm to 7pm (UK Time).

To register, visit: http://abdn.io/1jF

10/03/2025

Congratulations and good luck to Genevieve Carver whose book of poems based on SBS research has been longlisted for the Highland Book Prize!

"The poems integrate poetic and scientific processes, data about animal life histories and first-hand encounters with ecological fieldwork, giving voice to the non-human in surprising and original ways."

Pictures from publishers Guillemot Press - you can find out more about the book here: http://abdn.io/1js

08/03/2025

This International Women's Day, why not fill your diary with dates for upcoming talks from Women in Ocean Science?

Every Wednesday in March, there will be a talk in the Zoology Lecture Theatre from women in the marine sector speaking on their work, their challenges and their successes.

12 March, 3pm: Tara Marshall will cover her career and research on the life history of fish and fisheries management.

19 March, 12pm: Beth Scott will give an overview of the many disciplines she works in from marine ecology to oceanography and fisheries sciences.

26 March, 2pm: Alison Brand will talk about an exciting career that both involves research into underwater noise, as well as running her own company.

04/03/2025

Our Marine Biology student Anastasia Goelitz is an ambassador for Women in Ocean Science and is running a series of talks every Wednesday in March.

The series will spotlight and celebrate women in ocean science. The talks are open to everyone interested in learning about different research areas in the marine sector, where your career path can take you and what challenges women face.

5 March, 4pm: Victoria Sleight will be talking about her way into the research of evolution and development of skeletons in marine organisms.

12 March, 3pm: Tara Marshall will cover her career and research on the life history of fish and fisheries management.

19 March, 12pm: Beth Scott will give an overview of the many disciplines she works in from marine ecology to oceanography and fisheries sciences.

26 March, 2pm: Alison Brand will talk about an exciting career that both involves research into underwater noise, as well as running her own company.

03/03/2025

Our students are taking part in a SOLD OUT PechaKucha presentations night tomorrow! We look forward to hearing about the range of research carried out.

Meaning ‘chit chat’ in Japanese. A PechaKucha presentation challenges participants to deliver their presentation in 20 slides, talking for 20 seconds per slide. From the genetic and neurological basis of autism to the vocal communication in elephants, it will be a brilliant event for all!

26/02/2025

RSE Award success! 🎉

Academics from our school are some of the brilliant minds on the projects supported by the 2024 Autumn RSE Research Awards! From recording the diversity of underwater sounds to the impact of blue renewable energy, we're excited to hear more from the teams involved!

Read all about the funding here: http://abdn.io/1id

25/02/2025

Good luck to our student Botanical University Challenge team who are in the quarter finals of the competition! BUC is an annual quiz testing botanical knowledge which had 31 universities entered this year.

The quarter-finals take place tomorrow so good luck to the team: students Max Fontaine (PhD student), Santiago Castano Sirosi (PhD student), Justin Saddler (BSc student), Amy Beach (BSc student) and Taran Murphy (BSc student)! 🍀

21/02/2025

A month of January photos from our staff and students - some scenic, some nature-full and one cat desperate for a roast!

1- John Speakman took this photo of an Australasian Gannet, North Island, New Zealand
2- Hannah Clarke's picture of the sun above Bennachie
3- Ivy before the Bridge of Balgownie by Clare Trinder
4- Laura Howell's robin in a hollow
5- A winter view in Burgau, Austria, by Dagmar Henner
6- a crow in winter plumage pictured by Adam Price
7- Monaco shot at night by Frithjof Kuepper
8- Geese photographed by Eilidh Shannon
9- Anita Shepherd's snap of Blacksmith's Seat in Lumphanan
10- Dagmar Hanner's cat waiting for lunch!

13/02/2025

Hong Kong get together on February 18th❗

Here's a throwback picture from the 2017 Scottish Evening - a wonderful gathering of alumni hosted by the Aberdeen University Hong Kong Association AUHKA

Join us to gather again and hear our Head of School Prof Graeme Paton speak about the disrupted global environment, meet with fellow alumni and join the environmental sciences conversation.

The event will be held at the British Consulate- General Hong Kong at 6pm (HKT) on Tuesday.

Find more details and book to attend: http://abdn.io/1gC

05/02/2025

Does this look like summer school to you? 😍

This is Sestola in Italy where Jessica Brook attended a week-long programme called "Assessment of high mountain ecosystems by soil survey, remote sensing and GIS-based maps".

She wrote a blog about her experience to highlight everything she learned in the fantastic Italian scenery as well as in the classroom.

Read the full blog here: http://abdn.io/1fy

30/01/2025

What goes on behind the scenes at SBS to support the researchers and teaching?

TRO Martin Cowie attended the Technician Commitment Signatory Event to ensure Aberdeen's commitment to the development of our research and teaching technical staff.

Read the blog Martin wrote, here, to learn more about the technical support team and the event: http://abdn.io/1eV

14/01/2025

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2025 NETGAIN PHDs!

We have three NETGAIN projects up for grabs for our cohort of candidates to start in October. From restoration of urban green spaces to marine environment policy attitudes to island restoration - if you're looking for a biological sciences-related PhD, here's a few options.

Read more about the different PhD projects available here:

Applications are now open for the first NETGAIN DFA cohort to start in October 2025. We have 10 fully funded PhD studentships across the four partner institutions.