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Live Online Course – 5th edition

Model-Based Statistical Inference in Evolutionary Biogeography

October 12th, 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2026

Contact: courses@transmittingscience.com

Course Model-Based Statistical Inference in Ecological and Evolutionary Biogeography

Course Overview

This course offers a structured, hands-on introduction to modern methods for inferring historical biogeography using phylogenetic and spatial data. It progresses from foundational concepts and tools to advanced, modelling approaches. Participants will learn how to estimate ancestral geographic ranges, compare probabilistic models, and interpret biogeographic patterns using real data.

The course moves from introductory training in R, phylogenies, and BioGeoBEARS, through likelihood-based model testing and visualization, to advanced topics such as trait-dependent dispersal, state-dependent diversification models, and large-scale analyses using PhyBEARS.jl in Julia. It also incorporates the integration of GIS and paleogeographic data (e.g., via GPlates), equipping participants with a comprehensive toolkit for studying biodiversity across space and time.

Throughout the course, participants are encouraged to apply methods to their own datasets with expert guidance.

Places are limited to 14 participants.

Programme

Basics:

Day 1: Intro to R and phylogenies
Getting to the first plot: estimating biogeographic history with BioGeoBEARS
How to choose areas?
Assumptions of these models, survey of biogeographical models
Comparing probabilistic models for historical biogeography in BioGeoBEARS

Day 2: Likelihood-based statistical model choice
Interpreting & graphing BioGeoBEARS results
Statistical model comparison to test the influence of geographic & environmental distances on dispersal
Biogeographical stochastic mapping

Advanced:

Day 3: Integrating biogeography with traits — trait-dependent dispersal
State-dependent Speciation/Extinction models (SSE) for large biogeography problems in Julia
Getting to the first plot: estimating biogeographic history with PhyBEARS.jl
Plotting PhyBEARS results in R; comparing to BioGeoBEARS

Day 4: Statistical model comparison in PhyBEARS.jl
Integrating GIS & paleogeography data with the plate-tectonics package, GPlates
Help and discussion session for student projects.

Assumed Background

Previous knowledge of R is required to follow the course.

Knowledge of Julia is helpful, but not required.

Dates & Schedule

Online live sessions on October 12th, 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2026.

From 8:00 to 12:00 (Madrid time zone).

Total course hours: 22 (16 hours of online live lessons, plus 6 hours of participants working independently).

This course is equivalent to 1 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). The recognition of ECTS by other institutions depends on each university or school.

Format

In the live sessions we will combine online lectures with hands-on computational exercises.

Live sessions will be recorded. However, attendance to the live sessions is required to obtain the course certificate.

This course will be delivered in English.

Instructor

Dr. Nick Matzke
University of Auckland
New Zealand

Registration Fees

Course Fee
Early bird (until July 31st, 2026):
450 €
(360 € for Ambassador Institutions)
Regular (after July 31st, 2026):
530 €
(424 € for Ambassador Institutions)
Prices include VAT.
After registration you will receive confirmation of your acceptance on the course.
Payment is not required during registration. Check discounts here.
How do I get the Ambassador Institution discount?
Registration