More about the Programme
Population biology deals with the fundamental issue of applying evolutionary thinking to problems in ecology and genetics. It seeks to discover how evolution has designed genetic systems, life cycles, and ecological interactions for reproduction and survival. It also seeks to understand the consequences of genetic structuring of populations for adaptation and speciation and to estimate how rapidly speciation can happen. This is a complex area, too broad to be covered in a research programme of these dimensions, and priorities had to be set. As part of its activities, the Network on Population Ecology and Genetics (1990-1993) attempted to identify outstanding young scientists in the field and to give them the opportunity, through workshop discussions and smaller meetings, to develop their ideas on the most interesting and pertinent topics in population biology. The resulting ideas were, with the help of senior experts, incorporated into the proposal for the current Programme.
Although Europe has been an international leader in population biology from the start and some European centres have a critical mass of population biologists, other European groups are small and isolated. Strengths in specialities vary from place to place. The Programme supports the large-scale exchange of ideas, allows scientists trained in one place to apply their insights to new systems in other laboratories, and, in general, stimulates the interest of younger scientists in population biology through the organisation of workshops and support through travel grants and exchange visits.
Programme management
Steering Committee chaired by Professor S.C. Stearns (University of Basle, Switzerland).
10 contributing organisations.
