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


  • Diachronic reuse of Neolithic burial monuments by Bronze Age newcomers in Southwestern Britain

    Diachronic reuse of Neolithic burial monuments by Bronze Age newcomers in Southwestern Britain

    A new paper, co-authored by Nikola Vuković, Carolina Bernhardsson and Mattias Jakobsson, from the Human Evolution Program at Uppsala University, in close collaboration with British archaeologists, has recently been published in Scientific Reports:Vuković, N., Bernhardsson, C., Edlund, H., Delbarre, G., Smith, M., Darvill, T., … & Jakobsson, M. (2026). Diachronic reuse of Neolithic burial monuments…

  • Matte Sjölander’s STSM Experience in Utrecht 2026

    Matte Sjölander’s STSM Experience in Utrecht 2026

    In June 2026, Mattias Sjölander visited Utrecht University to host a brainstorming session on integrating subfossil insect and pollen data in future analyses. The visit, a so-called Short-Term Scientific Mission within Open Palaeoecological Data (PalaeOpen), was funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). During my ongoing postdoctoral project at the Center for the Human…

  • The Tie That Binds Us?

    The Tie That Binds Us?

    A new article discussing ancient DNA, kinship studies and human connection across time, co-authored by one of our former Human Past SCAS Fellows, Mehmet Somel, has just been published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal. Moots, H. M., Tsosie, K. S., & Somel, M. (2026). The Tie That Binds Us? Challenging the Primacy of DNA in Kinship Studies…