Conference alert: Human Evolution – From Fossils to Ancient and Modern Genomes


Wellcome Connecting Science is the organizer of the conference, with Carina Schlebusch in the scientific programme committee. It’s mission is to enable everyone to explore genomic science and its impact on research, health and society. 

Recent archaeological and palaeontological discoveries and the application of genomic analysis are reshaping the understanding of human evolution and history. The conference on human evolution will highlight emerging archaeological discoveries and advances in genetic tools that are transforming the field.

Tracing our roots: unveiling the journey from fossils to modern genomes

28–30 April 2025

Wellcome Genome Campus, UK and Virtual

2025 meeting will feature sessions on the deepest roots of human history, highlighting methodological advances in studying human evolution and showcasing the latest tools and techniques in genomic analysis and ancient DNA.

The programme will focus on the population structure of ancient humans and will explore how early human populations migrated, adapted to diverse environments, and interacted with other hominin species. We will also delve into past human diseases, discussing the host-pathogen co-evolution and their impact on genetic diversity.

The conference is aimed at population and evolutionary geneticists, archaeologists, palaeontologists, primatologists and medical geneticists with an interest in human evolution. The attendees will participate in a dynamic programme that includes invited talks, short oral presentations, poster pitch talks and posters selected from abstracts. This setting will foster high-level discussions and networking opportunities, encouraging new collaborations across disciplines.

Deadlines

Bursary
04 February 2025

Abstract
18 February 2025

In-person registration
31 March 2025

Virtual registration
22 April 2025


  • Mattias Jakobsson receives an award from the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences of Uppsala

    Mattias Jakobsson receives an award from the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences of Uppsala

    The 2026 prize for an interdisciplinary achievement of outstanding quality is awarded to Mattias Jakobsson for his distinguished research into human origins and prehistory. By linking Stone Age genomic data with archaeology and linguistics, Jakobsson has shown that there were different populations that engaged in farming, and hunting and gathering. Read more about the Royal…

  • Gut microbes that trace ancient human journeys

    Gut microbes that trace ancient human journeys

    The newest piece in Nature’s News & Views, co-authored by our PI, Carina Schlebusch and Maja Vukovikj from Human Evolution Program at Uppsala University discusses the study by Carter et al. exploring what our gut microbiomes can tell us about human population history. Humans have never travelled alone. When our ancestors spread out of Africa…

  • The unknown origins of humans on Swedish radio

    Mattias Jakobsson was featured on Swedish Radio’s morning program (Förmiddag i P1) today, 29 Sept 2026. His conversation with Nicke Nordmark, the program leader, is available at: https://www.sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/manniskans-okanda-ursprung (in Swedish). They talked about Homo Sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans and their coexistence; the unknown DNA in our genes; and the possibility that humans as we know…