First Call for Papers

The “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, in partnership with the Romanian Academy and the University of Bucharest, is pleased to announce ZoologyCon 2026, an international zoology congress that will take place in Bucharest, Romania, from 4 to 7 November 2026. ZoologyCon aims to bring together researchers working across zoological disciplines, from classical taxonomy and faunistics to genomics, ecology, conservation, collections and public engagement.

Main themes

Contributions are invited (oral presentations and posters) within the following themes:

1. Biodiversity and Biogeography of Native, Non‑native and Invasive Faunas This theme welcomes studies on species diversity, distributions and range shifts across space and time. It covers faunistic work, biogeographic patterns and the dynamics of native, invasive and non‑native species.
2. Evolution, Systematics and Integrative Taxonomy This theme focuses on the origin, diversification and classification of animal lineages, from populations to higher taxa. Studies using barcoding, metabarcoding, genomic data or advanced imaging techniques in an integrative taxonomic framework are particularly welcome.
3. Paleoecology, Paleobiology and Historical Biogeography This theme addresses what the fossil and subfossil record reveals about past faunas and environments. We welcome contributions on paleoecology, paleodiet, extinction and survival, and historical biogeography based on paleontological sites and museum collections.
4. Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation under Global Change This theme brings together research on how animals interact with each other and their environments in a rapidly changing world. It includes studies on ecological communities, behaviour, movement, population dynamics and conservation responses to climate and land‑use change.
5. Zoological Collections, Museums and Research Infrastructures This theme highlights zoological collections and museums as essential infrastructures for research and conservation. We encourage contributions on curation, digitization and databasing, as well as collection‑based studies in taxonomy, ecology, biogeography and global change.
6. Zoology, Society and Citizen Science This theme explores how zoology connects with society through public participation, education and communication. We invite contributions on citizen‑science projects, community‑based monitoring, urban biodiversity, outreach, and zoology‑related public engagement activities in natural history museums and science centres.

Contributions from citizen scientists (non‑professional participants) are strongly encouraged and will be considered in the form of posters.​
For contributions on educational programs in zoology and ecology, and on school–museum partnerships, we particularly welcome submissions that are grounded in explicit research questions (e.g. about learning outcomes, attitudes, engagement or program design etc.), rather than purely descriptive accounts of activities. Abstracts should include a brief description of the methods and data used (quantitative and/or qualitative), such as questionnaires, interviews, observations, tests or participation metrics etc.

A detailed list of example topics for each theme will be provided in a separate document on the congress website.

Types of contributions

• Oral presentations (standard talks)
• Posters

Contributions should present original research or substantial syntheses. Case studies focused mainly on educational or outreach activities without data or clear research questions may be considered for poster presentation only, subject to review.

Abstract submission

Abstract submission requires prior registration.

Abstracts must be submitted in English via the online submission form (link to be provided on the ZoologyCon website).

Each abstract should:

• clearly indicate the main theme it fits into;
• state the research question(s) / aim(s);
• briefly describe methods and data;
• summarize the main results and conclusions.

Further details on abstract format and the submission form will be available on the ZoologyCon 2026 website.

Registration

Participation in ZoologyCon 2026 is based on free registration.

In addition, participants may choose to register as Supporters of ZoologyCon 2026 by making a voluntary contribution to support the organization of the congress. Two supporter options will be available:

• Supporter Registration – 20 EUR
• Supporter Registration – 40 EUR

Supporter contributions are entirely optional and are not a prerequisite for abstract submission, acceptance, or participation in the scientific programme.

Details regarding registration procedures will be announced on the ZoologyCon 2026 website.

Important dates

• Registration & abstract submission open: 1 April 2026
• Abstract submission deadline: 30 June 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 31 July 2026
• Registration confirmation deadline: 15 October 2026.

Please note that only abstracts submitted by participants who have confirmed their participation by this date will be:

• included in the printed Book of Abstracts, and
• scheduled for oral presentation.

(Details regarding registration options will be available on the website.)

Venue

Venue

ZoologyCon 2026 will be held in Bucharest, Romania. The scientific sessions will take place from 4 to 6 November 2026. The precise venue will be announced in due course.

Contact

For questions regarding abstract submission or the scientific programme, please contact:

ZoologyCon 2026 Organizing Committee

“Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, Bucharest

E‑mail: zoologycon2026@antipa.ro

Website: www.zoologycon.ro