4th International Temperate Reefs Symposium (ITRS) in Brest, France
University of Liverpool
I attended the 14th International Temperate Reefs Symposium (ITRS) in July 2025, held in the coastal city of Brest in northern France. With my PhD submission just a few months away, ITRS was the perfect way to round things off. The week was packed with brilliant science, amazing people from around the world, and more than a few memorable moments – most of which I’ve been sworn to secrecy about, thanks to the unofficial rule: “what happens at ITRS, stays at ITRS”!
The generous support from the Challenger Society covered my transport costs, for which I’m very grateful. This funding made it possible for me to attend one of the most exciting (and enjoyable!) international conferences in my field. The symposium programme was packed to the brim, with six full days of workshops, talks, social events, and excursions around the Brittany region — including a visit to the town of Roscoff and the Roscoff Biological Station.
At the symposium, I gave a 15-minute oral presentation based on the first data chapter of my PhD, which explores how environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used to characterise intertidal biodiversity at both local and national scales. My talk covered the methods I used, the key findings, and some practical suggestions for how eDNA could be used for coastal biodiversity monitoring. The presentation was really well received and sparked plenty of discussion – especially around the potential of eDNA as a scalable, long-term tool for ecological monitoring and biodiversity assessment.
Alongside the main conference programme, I took part in a workshop on kelp forest conservation. The session brought together experts, practitioners, and advocates from around the world, all working on kelp research and restoration. It was a great chance to catch up on the latest developments and get stuck into collaborative discussions on how best to protect and restore these important ecosystems. The workshop also gave me a clearer sense of how my own research on coastal biodiversity can contribute to wider conservation goals. Oh, and we got some excellent kelp-themed stickers too – always a bonus!
One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was the networking. I had the chance to connect with many leading researchers in my field, including UK- and Ireland-based academics such as Dr Heather Sugden, Professor Pippa Moore, Professor Stephen J. Hawkins, and Dr Louise Firth. I also met several international experts whose work has shaped my own thinking, including Associate Professor Peter A. Todd, Dr Laura Falkenberg, Professor Brian Helmuth, and Dr Fernando P. Lima. I thoroughly enjoyed the keynote and plenary talks throughout the conference, particularly those by Professor Gray A. Williams and Professor Christopher McQuaid. These conversations were not only intellectually stimulating but also opened the door to potential collaborations and future research directions.
Equally valuable were the connections I made with fellow PhD students and early-career researchers from across the globe. It was both fun and professionally rewarding to swap ideas, share challenges, and chat about our research (not to mention getting involved in some questionable post-gala dinner antics!). Many of those conversations have already sparked follow-up discussions and potential ideas for future collaborations.
The International Temperate Reef Symposium is the largest and most significant event in my area of research. Attending allowed me to share my work with a global audience, gain invaluable feedback, and begin laying the groundwork for the next stage of my career. I’ve already had several conversations regarding postdoctoral opportunities and discussed ideas for collaborative funding proposals with researchers I met at the event. These interactions have significantly expanded my professional network and helped identify potential career pathways after completing my PhD.
Overall, attending this conference has been a major milestone in my academic journey — truly one of the best weeks of my PhD so far! It has boosted my visibility as a researcher, strengthened my confidence in presenting and discussing my work, and deepened my engagement with the international scientific community.
I am so grateful for the support from the Challenger Society that made this experience possible.
Awardee Profile:
Dina-Leigh Simons is a final-year Postgraduate Researcher at the University of Liverpool supervised by Dr Nova Mieszkowska (UoL), Dr Helen Hipperson (UoS), Dr Tom Webb (UoS), and Dr Matt Spencer (UoL). Dina’s work investigates whether marine eDNA approaches can be used to detect climate-driven changes in intertidal biodiversity. Dina is also a passionate science communicator, committed to bridging the gap between science and the public. You can explore her work and social pages at dinathebiologist.com.
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