Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)

What happens when paleontologists, evolutionary biologists, mathematicians, physicists and AI researchers come together?

New conversations. New perspectives. New ideas!

The HFSP Frontier Workshop has brought together scientists from diverse disciplines to explore one common challenge: understanding the history of life by combining fossil evidence with the latest advances in genomics, computation and artificial intelligence.

From inspiring presentations to lively discussions and conversations during the breaks, the workshop is a reminder that some of the most exciting discoveries happen where disciplines meet!

Next stop: London! 🇬🇧

The final preparations are underway, and the program is ready for the HFSP Frontier Workshop: Bridging Fossil Records and Modern Science – Integrative Approaches to Evolution.

In just a few days, researchers from around the world will gather at the Royal Society of Chemistry to explore how paleontology, evolutionary biology, AI, mathematics and physics are helping us better understand the history of life.

Take a look at the full program and abstracts:
🔗 https://zurl.co/UW0BO

See you in London!

Summer mornings are perfect for soaking up the sun… and meerkats seem to agree!🌞

HFSP Research Grant researchers have discovered that the soft "sunning calls" meerkats exchange while warming themselves in the morning help maintain social relationships within their groups. These vocal interactions appear to function as a form of "grooming at a distance," allowing individuals to reinforce important social bonds without physical contact.

The study also revealed that subordinate meerkats respond more strongly to dominant individuals, particularly those with whom they share weaker social ties, highlighting how simple vocal exchanges help maintain the complex social fabric of cooperative societies.

These findings offer fascinating new insights into how animals use communication to navigate complex social lives!

🔬 Learn more: https://zurl.co/6XR8J

🌍 Communication & Integration: Great discoveries happen when disciplines connect!

The final session of the HFSP Frontier Workshop explores how natural history, evolutionary biology, computational science and the humanities can work together to build new perspectives on the history of life and how these ideas can be communicated beyond academia.

Join the conversation in London.

Register: https://zurl.co/ri0JJ

🦴 Fossil Heritage and Accessibility

Fossil collections preserve an extraordinary record of life's history, but many remain difficult to access and study.

This session explores how 3D imaging, virtual collections and new approaches to data sharing are helping make fossil heritage more accessible, opening new possibilities for research, education and international collaboration.

Join us at the HFSP Frontier Workshop in London, 3–5 August 2026.

Register now: https://zurl.co/1bPjX

🤖 AI & Computational Challenges

Artificial intelligence, computational modelling and mathematical approaches are opening new possibilities for studying life's history.
This session explores how digital tools can help reconstruct missing fossil evidence, simulate evolutionary processes and reveal patterns that would otherwise remain hidden.

Join us in London for the HFSP Frontier Workshop.

Register today: https://zurl.co/5KV5H

✨ The memories are here!
More than 500 pictures capture the science, the smiles, the reunions, the new friendships, and all the unforgettable moments that made the 25th HFSP Awardees Meeting so special!

Whether you were presenting your research, discussing posters, or simply enjoying a conversation over coffee, chances are we've captured a few of your favorite moments.😁

📸 Explore the full gallery on Flickr, find yourself, and tag your friends and colleagues!

👉 https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCZyR4

25th HFSP Awardees Meeting 7-10 July 2026 Geneva, Switzerland

🧬 From Paleo-Genomics to Paleo-Phenomes
Ancient DNA, fossil evidence and modern biological data are transforming how we reconstruct evolutionary history. This session explores how researchers integrate genomic information with fossil discoveries to better understand extinct species, evolutionary relationships and the emergence of new traits.

Join leading scientists from across disciplines at the HFSP Frontier Workshop in London, 3–5 August 2026.
Register now: https://zurl.co/tmwGg