Fossil and specimen collections housed at leading institutions worldwide constitute an irreplaceable archive of Earth’s history. Yet access to these resources remains uneven, limiting their use by the global scientific community. At the same time, recent advances in evolutionary biology, imaging technologies, and computational science are opening new possibilities for studying and reconstructing the history of life.
The HFSP Frontier Workshop “Bridging Fossil Records and Modern Science: Integrative Approaches to Evolution” will bring together researchers from paleontology, evolutionary biology, mathematics, physics, and computational sciences to address this challenge. The workshop will explore how emerging tools, including artificial intelligence, large-scale 3D digitization, and advanced modeling approaches, can help integrate fragmented fossil records and generate new insights into evolutionary processes.
By combining fossil data with developments in evolutionary developmental biology and paleogenomics, participants will examine key evolutionary transitions and the functional basis of morphological change. The workshop will also highlight the role of quantitative and computational methods in reconstructing incomplete records and simulating evolutionary pathways.
This interdisciplinary meeting aims to foster collaboration across fields, promote innovative approaches to understanding evolution, and help make fossil resources more accessible and usable worldwide.
The workshop will be structured around four thematic sessions addressing key challenges and opportunities in the study of evolution:
Each session will feature a keynote lecture and invited speakers, complemented by contributed talks selected through an open abstract submission process. This format is designed to bring forward diverse perspectives while highlighting emerging research across disciplines.
Interactive discussions will be an integral part of the programme. Each session will include panel discussions and open Q&A, fostering dialogue among speakers and participants. By combining invited contributions with selected abstracts and dedicated discussion time, the workshop aims to foster active exchange, identify research priorities, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Burlington House, Piccadilly London, United Kingdom
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