Cichlid Science is the only global conference dedicated exclusively to cichlid research, bringing together scientists from around the world to advance our understanding of the evolution, ecology, behaviour, and genomics of cichlid fishes. Organised every few years, it is a unique forum for researchers working across a wide range of topics, from speciation and sexual selection to trophic ecology, functional morphology, developmental biology, genomics, and conservation.
Previous editions have been held across Europe since 2010, most recently in Cambridge, UK in 2022, and previously in Brussels/Leuven, Belgium in 2012. The 2026 edition marks a welcome return to Belgium, hosted by the University of Antwerp from 2–4 September 2026.
We warmly invite researchers at all career stages to submit an abstract and present their work. We are also committed to fostering equitable and inclusive collaboration across regions worldwide. We particularly encourage participation from scientists based in areas where cichlid diversity is greatest, and invite you to learn more about our Global Engagement Travel Grant. Funding is currently being finalised, but we would already appreciate expressions of interest from eligible candidates. Contact us if you have any questions.
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Invited Speakers
We are pleased to announce three invited speakers, each presenting their research in an extended presentation slot.
Dr. Pooja Singh
Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Switzerland Webpage
Dr. Alex Jordan
Behavioural Evolution Lab, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany Webpage
Dr. Andrés Bendesky
Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA Webpage