Phylomania

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Phylomania 2025

The Seventeenth UTAS (mainly) Theoretical Phylogenetics Meeting

November 19th - 21st, 2025

Sandy Bay Campus, Hobart, TASMANIA

Organized by: Michael Charleston and the rest of the Mathematical Biology Research Group at UTAS

Phylogenetics is concerned with one of the most important problems in biology: reconstructing the evolutionary history of present-day organisms from molecular data, such as DNA, or morphological characters. Hidden from view, in phylogenetics software packages used by biologists, are algorithms implementing stochastic and combinatorial methods on binary trees, as well as more general network structures. The mathematics involved represent a unique confluence of probability theory, discrete mathematics, stochastic methods, and statistical inference, as well as algebraic methods such as group theory. There are many important theoretical and practical problems that arise, such as statistical identifiability of models, consistency and convergence of methods. These problems can only be solved using a multi-disciplinary approach. Phylomania brings together internationally recognised experts, with the aim of discussing the pressing research problems in phylogenetics.

Code of Conduct

We are committed to providing a safe and harassment-free environment for all conference participants. By registering for Phylomania, participants agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and to conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner. This involves scientific and ethical integrity, respectful and courteous behaviour towards others, and equality of opportunity and treatment for everyone. Discrimination, bullying and harassment of any nature, whether intended or not, is a form of misconduct that has no place at the conference. Any conference participant who wishes to report or discuss an issue related to misconduct is encouraged to contact any member of the Organising Committee, in person or via email. All concerns will be taken under the strictest confidence and treated in due regard.

Guiding Policies: The Phylomania conference is guided by the framework of Equity & Diversity policies and strategies of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and Australian Mathematical Science Institute (AMSI).

Past Programmes HERE

Schedule

The talks will be scheduled for the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The meeting will start 9am Wednesday and conclude officially at 5pm Friday. We will arrange a group excursion, such as a guided walk (weather permitting) for the following Saturday, depending on numbers and the weather. The conference dinner will be on Thursday night : venue to be confirmed

Social Whatnots

Feel free to share updates to the usual channels, but we aren't on Twitter.

Talks and Posters

Talks are 20 minutes long (including time for questions!), and posters are very welcome! Yes we would love it if you would bring a poster as well as give a talk!

Registration

Registration will be live soon! The registration cost is to cover catering --- morning and afternoon tea / coffee / snacks, and lunch, and some awards, and is worked out based on previous conferences: we think it's pretty reasonable and we think the food and drink will be excellent. Conference dinner is NOT included in the registration fee.

Registration is not payment: once you've registered, you must also go to the payment site and pay because we'll need to buy supplies.

Local information

Delegates with parenting responsibilities: UTAS parenting rooms have breastfeeding and changing facilities. The childcare centre on the Sandy Bay campus is managed by Lady Gowrie.
Phone: +61 3 6226 2088; UTAS web page on child care facilities here.

Social Events

There is a lot to do in Hobart. We will schedule our conference dinner for Thursday night so if you must leave early on Friday, you may. But please don't: there's terrific hiking, the amazing MONA, the Saturday market at Salamanca, an amazing replica of Mawson's Hut, and if you're feeling ridiculously fit, the gruelling Point to Pinnacle half-marathon starts on Sunday the 20th. A good idea to avoid walking or running up the mountain on that date.

Accommodation

For those of you looking to book accommodation, there are a range of options both near to the Uni and in the City itself. The University of Tasmania Accommodation Services also has a range of cheap(ish) possibilities.
As well as the University itself, the surrounding suburb of Sandy Bay has a range of accommodation options that will cater to all needs. These are all within walking distance to the University, Hobart city and the wharf area. Some examples of the kind of places that may be available include Grosvenor Court Apartment, St Ives Apartments, Mayfair Plaza Hotel, and the Blue Hills Hotel. Of course it is also worth checking out Stayz and Airbnb for plenty of great alternative options.
Beyond Sandy Bay, the city offers a myriad of potential accommodation options (too many to list here).
The city is within easy walking distance from the University (20 - 30 minutes) but there are also several buses that service the University from the centre of the city.
For those of you looking for budget accommodation (but possibly loud) the city has a number of hostels.
These include the Pickled Frog hostel, Imperial Hotel, and Hobart Central YHA.

Organising Committee

Last modified May 2025 by Michael Charleston.