Conference “Collectomics: Ethical Mobilisation of Natural History Collections for Biodiversity Research”

14 10 2025

The University of Warsaw Herbarium ( Dr Maja Graniszewska, Dr Kamil E. Frankiewicz) invites you to the conference “Collectomics: Ethical Mobilisation of Natural History Collections for Biodiversity Research.”

When: 10–14 November 2025
Main talks and discussions: 12–13 November
Where: Biological and Chemical Research Centre (CNBCh UW), Żwirki i Wigury 101, Warsaw
Format: in person and online (livestream)
Participation: free of charge

Conference scope: 
Collectomics is an emerging field of research that integrates and analyses information from natural history collections — from the physical specimen (its photographs, scans and microimages), through specimen-related data (traditional labels, field notes, associated environmental data, ethnobotanical knowledge), to molecular information (DNA, metabolite profiles). This approach transforms collections from static sets of physical objects into dynamic systems of information that support research on climate change, biodiversity loss, species evolution and environmental history. Collectomics promotes open data, collaboration among institutions and the dissemination of natural history knowledge.

The conference will focus on three key areas of working with natural history collections:

• effective collection management,
• research applications,
• legal and ethical aspects of collection use.

Invited speakers include, among others:

• Marcelo Pace (Director, National Herbarium of Mexico)
• María Alejandra Jaramillo (President, Latin American Botanical Society)
• Sebastian Gebauer (Curator, Senckenberg Herbarium; one of the pioneers of collectomics)
• Carmen Marcati (Founder, UNESP Xylotheque)
• Sergei Mosyakin (Director, Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; one of the most active contemporary taxonomists).

The programme features approximately 30-minute presentations with ample time for questions and open discussion with the panellists.

 Registration: https://forms.gle/nfJJ3ozz2fc9F4KG6

A detailed agenda will be sent to registered participants.

The number of in-person seats is limited; ticket allocation will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

 Questions?
Contact us: herbarium@uw.edu.pl

We look forward to seeing you!