By Alexandra Langwieder and Don-Jean Leandri-Breton, PhD student and former PhD student at McGill University

In December 2022, we traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, to present our PhD research at the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, thanks to funding provided by the Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science Excellence Awards. This is one of the World’s largest conferences in the field of Ecology. It was thus a fantastic opportunity to network with other scientists, learn about the latest research in our field, and explore the vibrant city of Edinburgh and its surroundings.

The conference was held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, a modern venue located in the heart of the city. We were impressed by the high level of organization and the quality of the presentations. We were also excited to have the opportunity to present our own research to a knowledgeable and interested audience. During the conference, we attended a variety of sessions and workshops, which covered topics such as movement ecology, community-based research, and species interactions. We had the chance to listen to talks by renowned scientists, participate in lively debates, and interact with other graduate students from around the world. We presented our respective most recent PhD’s results on the genetic differentiation of polar bear populations in James Bay (Alexandra’s work) and energetic costs of wintering decisions in Arctic-nesting seabird (Don-Jean’s work).

In our free time, we explored the city of Edinburgh and its surroundings. We visited the famous landmarks, such as the Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Dean Village, a medieval town in the middle of the city with beautiful architecture and interesting history. We also enjoyed the vibrant nightlife of the city, sampling local foods and drinks and meeting with local people.

One highlight of our trip was a day trip to the Scottish Highlands, a vast and wild region of mountains, valleys, and lakes. We took a train ride through the breathtaking landscape, and visited the picturesque town of Pitlochry, where we saw the famous salmon ladder and tasted local whisky. We also went on a hiking trip near the Cairngorms National Park, one of the largest national parks in the United Kingdom, and were amazed by the beauty of the mountainous terrain and the diversity of the local flora and fauna.

The trip to Scotland was a memorable and enriching experience for us, both academically and culturally. The funding provided by the Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science allowed us to attend a prestigious international scientific conference, meet with other scientists, and gain new insights into our fields of research. We also had the opportunity to explore a fascinating and beautiful country, and to learn about its history, culture, and people. Overall, the trip was a valuable and rewarding experience that provided opportunities to expand our professional networks and form new collaborations.

About the authors: Alexandra Langwieder is a PhD student at McGill University and a member of the Northern Wildlife Knowledge Lab. Don-Jean Leandri-Breton is a former PhD student at McGill University and the Centre d’Études Biologiques de Chizé. Currently, they are a post-doctoral researcher at Università degli Studi di Milano.