Members and Friends of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology,
 |
The Palaeobiology and Biodiversity Research Group at the University of Bristol is excited to host the 69th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. This will be a momentous meeting for the Society, the first time it has met in the ‘Old World’. The vertebrate paleontologists of the United Kingdom, and of Europe, welcome the Society, and offer a rich array of experiences.
Bristol is located in south-west England, 100 miles, and less than 2 hours by train, from London. Bristol is a long-established industrial city, with beautiful buildings dating from the past five centuries. Enjoy the Neolithic, Roman, Medieval, and later history of the region – including Bath, which is only 15 minutes away by train. In Bristol, you can see wonders of the industrial revolution, including Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain (1843), the world’s oldest iron ship, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, one of the world’s first (1864).
Bristol’s high tech industries of today, including British Aerospace and Rolls Royce, together with the University, have earned it the title of a ‘Science city’. The University of Bristol, ranked in the top five in the United Kingdom, is young, and it celebrates its centenary in 2009. It is a renowned centre for science engagement.
Within easy reach of Bristol are such prehistoric marvels as Stonehenge and Avebury, as well as rich buildings from the Roman, Saxon, Medieval, Regency, and Victorian periods, spanning more than 5000 years of history. London, Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford, and many other fine cities are linked by regular public transport. Geology and vertebrate palaeontology were born in the south of England, and we will offer field trips to see classic Mesozoic and Cenozoic sites associated with Mary Anning, William Buckland, Gideon Mantell, Richard Owen, and other early heroes of our subject.
2009 is also Darwin year (200th anniversary of his birth, and 150th anniversary of publication of On the Origin of Species). The meeting will be chance for Darwinians to explore the history of evolution, and modern responses to Darwin – we plan special lectures, workshops, and visits to Darwin locations across England.
You are all jolly welcome (in a modest and understated way, of course) to SVP 2009 in Bristol
See you in September!
Sincerely,
2009 SVP Host Committee
View a list of the Host Committee Members
View a list of Welcoming Committee Members