Are there limits to evolution? (Conference 25 & 26 September 2014)

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• See conference website for details: https://wserv4.esc.cam.ac.uk/atle/
• Thursday 25 September 2014, 09:00-18:00
• Divinity School, St John's College, Cambridge.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Dr Victoria Ling.

Are there limits to evolution? (Conference 25 & 26 September 2014)

What will evolutionary biology look like in 50 years? More of the same or will there be new paradigms, new syntheses? What lies on the horizon?

The impact of evolution is undeniable, but it can be viewed through different lenses. For the scientist it is the investigative discipline, mapping out the history of life, uncovering its intricacies and revealing its mechanisms. For others it might be the grand narrative, and across society it brings different meanings—sometimes to the point of polarization. Ideas about evolution pervade and influence our self-understanding. This was evident throughout the celebrations in 2009 of Darwin’s bicentennial and The Origin’s 150 years. Yet the subject of evolution is not merely “Darwinism”, let alone “neo-Darwinism”, but a science that ought always to seek new questions, rattle the cage of existing paradigms and not rest content with received wisdom.

This conference is an opportunity to focus on the important research objectives, discuss the best ways to achieve them, and use these to set a considered agenda for the continued study of evolution. What are the questions we now need to define? For instance;

• Is evolutionary convergence ubiquitous? If so, is this of any wider significance? • Can we define biological complexity? Are there limits to complex systems? • How do biological systems integrate? How do horizontally transmitted genes become incorporated into the genome? • What is the significance of mosaic evolution? • How soon before we detect habitable planets and what is the significance for exobiology? • What is the nature of consciousness, and in the context of neuroscience are there any compelling explanations?

We invite you to join us in Cambridge. Planning is at an early stage, which is why we ask for your input, but at present we envisage four sessions over two days;

• Complexity (Morning day 1 + keynote)

• Convergence (Afternoon day 1 + keynote)

• Connectivity/integration (Morning day 2 + keynote)

• Far horizons (Afternoon day 2 + keynote)

We are also open for speaker submissions; please contact us as soon as possible with your provisional title.

This talk is part of the Are there limits to evolution? series.

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• Are there limits to evolution?
• Divinity School, St John's College, Cambridge

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