History of Zoology and Natural History Collections in the Portuguese speaking world
Event
This course will cover the history of zoology and its associated natural history collections in the Portuguese world, especially in Portugal and African speaking countries. Participants will learn about the main naturalist and zoologist of the eighteenthn, nineteenth and twentieth century and their respective research interests, the overall theories and topics that provided the theoretical backbone of their work, as well as the history of their collections. We will also explore methods and techniques to extract biological relevant data from historical documentation, collections and specimens and how these data can be used in modern day research.
January 12th, 2026
BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal (Face-to-face) (Updated schedule)
This course will cover the history of zoology and its associated natural history collections in the Portuguese world, especially in Portugal and African speaking countries. Participants will learn about the main naturalist and zoologist of the eighteenthn, nineteenth and twentieth century and their respective research interests, the overall theories and topics that provided the theoretical backbone of their work, as well as the history of their collections. We will also explore methods and techniques to extract biological relevant data from historical documentation, collections and specimens and how these data can be used in modern day research.
PROGRAM
Day 1.
9.30 – 12.30. Introduction to history of science and historical research methods applied to biodiversity
14.00 – 17.30. The birth of modern natural history in the eighteenth century
Day 2.
9.30 – 12.30. Natural history in eighteenth century Portuguese speaking world.
14.00 – 17.30. Eighteenth century scientific expeditions to the Portuguese speaking world. The case of the Philosophical Voyages.
Day 3.
9.30 – 12.30. Natural history in the first half of the nineteenth century, at a global and lusophone perspective.
14.00 – 17.30. Natural history in the second half of the nineteenth century, at a global, Portuguese and Portuguese speaking Africa perspective.
Day 4.
9.30 – 12.30. Natural history in the first half of twentieth century in Portugal and its African colonies
14.00 – 17.30. Natural history in the second half of twentieth century in Portugal and its African colonies
Day 5.
9.30 – 12.30. The present status of the natural history collections and its respective archives in Portugal and Portuguese speaking Africa.
14.00 – 17.30. Case studies presentations.
CALENDAR
5 days - 35h (Friday all day) - Schedule: 09:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:30
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Coordination
SELECTION CRITERIA
The course will be open to a maximum number of 15 participants.
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.
(A minimum number of participants is required for the course to take place)
APPLICATION
Deadline: 15 December, 2025
To apply fill the FORM
A copy of your submitted form will be sent to the email address you provided. This email is your confirmation that the application was successfully submitted.
A copy of your submitted form will be sent to the email address you provided. This email is your confirmation that the application was successfully submitted.
If you don't receive this email, your application was not successfully submitted.
We will email you the results within 10 working days after the application deadline.
REGISTRATION
95€ (students) | 200€ (other participants).
BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%.
Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs members.
(If applicable, payment will be made to Associação BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727. Information on the payment amount and the payment deadline will be sent together with the results notification, and a proforma invoice may be issued in due time).
MORE INFORMATION
Registration fees do not include accommodation or meals.
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation.
CONTACT
Education & Training Unit (Post graduation office)
+351 252 660 425