Call for Abstracts

The New Zealand Ecological Society (NZES) and the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO) invite submissions for oral and poster presentations at their joint 2026 conference in Auckland.

Abstract submissions will open in May, and we warmly welcome contributions from across the full breadth of ecology and conservation biology, including both fundamental and applied research and indigenous knowledge. The conference is open to participants at all career stages, from students to senior researchers and practitioners.

The 2026 NZES–SCBO Conference is taking place in a period of significant social, economic, and political change. Under the theme “Changing the Conversation – Ecology in a Shifting Political Landscape,” the conference invites reflection on how ecological science, conservation practice, and environmental decision-making are shaped by evolving public priorities, governance frameworks, and societal expectations.

General sessions will be developed from submitted abstracts, alongside themed symposia (details to be announced on the conference website in May).

Key Dates

• Call for Abstracts Opens: May 2026
• Abstract Submission Deadline: 12 August 2026
• Acceptance Notifications: Early September 2026

Presenter Registration Deadline: Early-bird late September 2026

Who Should Submit

We welcome abstracts from:

• Researchers and academics
• Conservation practitioners and managers
• Policy professionals
• Students and early-career researchers
• Indigenous scholars and community-led projects

Presentation Types

Authors may request one of the following:

• Oral presentation
• Poster presentation
• Symposium presentation (if invited to participate in an accepted symposium, or if expressing interest in being part of one)

Details regarding presentation length and poster dimensions will be provided upon acceptance.

Abstract Guidelines

Please ensure you have the following prepared before submitting:

• Abstract title
• Author names and affiliations
• Presenter email address (if submitting on behalf of another presenter)
• A short biography and profile image for presenter(s)

Additional requirements:

• Abstracts must be 250 words or fewer
• Abstracts must be submitted in English, or accompanied by an English version

All abstracts will undergo peer review.

Student Support & Travel Grants

NZES Student Travel Grants
Eligible students can apply for NZES travel support. To streamline the process, travel grant application details will be collected as part of the abstract submission process.

SCBO Travel Support
SCBO will offer a limited number of travel grants. Further details will be provided via SCBO channels.

Review, Acceptance & Registration

• Authors will be notified of abstract acceptance by early September 2026
• Notification emails will be sent from nzes@confer.co.nz
• All presenters must register and pay the conference registration fee to be included in the programme

Presenter registration must be completed by the early bird deadline (late September 2026)

Publication

By submitting an abstract, authors consent to its publication in the conference proceedings or similar outputs produced by NZES and SCBO.

Student Day Presentation Practice

Students wishing to rehearse their talks during Student Day should indicate this during abstract submission.