University of Portsmouth hosts international Palaeontology event

The University of Portsmouth welcomed 275 palaeontologists from across the globe for the 69th Annual Meeting of the Palaeontological Association last week. 

The registered charity is one of the world's foremost societies in the field of palaeontology, bringing together more than 1,000 professional, student, and amateur palaeontologists from over 45 countries. 

The conference, which ran from 11-15 December 2025, marked the first time Portsmouth has hosted the prestigious event since 1998.  

The five-day event included specialist workshops, scientific presentations, and social events across Portsmouth.

The conference began with a themed symposium of invited speakers, talking about Experimental Palaeontology, and showcased some of the work being conducted by researchers from UoP, UCL and Lausanne using the flume tanks in the Hydraulics Lab and 3D printed models of fossils. The Annual Address was delivered by Professor Jennifer McElwain FRS on Saturday 13 December, exploring Earth's dynamic atmospheres and ecosystems.  

Meanwhile, a researcher event organised for 50 PhD students and post-doctoral researchers was led by former University of Portsmouth PhD student Dr Orla Bath Enright, who is now a post-doctoral researcher at the Natural History Museum Stuttgart. 

After the workshops, the conference began with a themed symposium of invited speakers, talking about Experimental Palaeontology, and showcased some of the work being conducted by researchers from UoP, UCL and Lausanne using the flume tanks in the Hydraulics Lab and 3D printed models of fossils.

Dr Nic Minter, Associate Professor in Analytical and Experimental Palaeontology at the University of Portsmouth and conference organiser, said: “This is a fantastic event for early career researchers, and we're delighted that 40 of our students have volunteered to support it.  

“Hosting an event of this scale gives them the opportunity to network with leading scientists from around the world, see cutting-edge research being presented, and gain invaluable experience in academic conference organisation. It's exactly the kind of real-world experience that sets our palaeontology graduates apart.” 

The event was supported by local businesses. Attendees enjoyed an icebreaker reception featuring beer produced by local brewery Staggeringly Good - which was hatched in 2015 by friends with an obsession for beer and dinosaurs, including a University of Portsmouth alumnus.  

They also had a memorable evening on board HMS Warrior, dining at the mess tables amongst the cannons on the Main Gun Deck, competing in a fun palaeo-themed quiz and taking part in sea shanties at the end of the night. 

After the conference, a select group of 40 delegates took part in a field trip organised by Dr Anthony Butcher, Geoscience Programme Lead, to the Isle of Wight to hunt for to invertebrate fossils at Whitecliff Bay and dinosaur footprints at Hanover Point. 

The University of Portsmouth runs the largest undergraduate palaeontology course in the UK, with over 150 students currently enrolled across three years of study. 

The BSc (Hons) Palaeontology degree, accredited by The Geological Society of London, was the first palaeontology course in the UK, and next year celebrates its 30th anniversary.  

It offers a uniquely hands-on learning experience thanks to Portsmouth's proximity to the most prolific dinosaur site in Europe - the Isle of Wight – nicknamed “Dinosaur Island” for its rich fossil heritage - and the Jurassic Coast.  

Students benefit from frequent field trips to these world-famous fossil sites, gaining real-world experience that complements classroom learning in cutting-edge facilities. 

The course's flexible "Connected Degree" structure allows for paid placements or self-employment years, preparing graduates for careers in science, consultancy, or museum work.