The Symbiosis network met for our latest conference at the Hall of Biodiversity in Porto in September to discuss trans-continental and trans-cultural collaborations. Representatives of the museums and universities already involved in Symbiosis were joined by the directors of the national museums and natural history museums of Brazil, Zimbabwe and Angola and the head of the repatriation programme from Te Papa Museum in New Zealand, along with several delegates from Porto’s museums and galleries. As well as stimulating discussions, we were treated to tours showcasing the inspirational work that the university and the city of Porto are doing to bring together the arts and sciences in the Hall of Biodiversity, the Botanic Garden and the renovations to the original Natural History and Science Museum, including the beautiful Art Deco Ferreira da Silva Laboratory. We are looking forward to continuing working with our new colleagues and friends from Porto and around the world and to welcoming them and our other collaborators to our next conference at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History next year.
To see the full programme of the Porto conference, click here.
For more photos from the conference, visit the Facebook site of the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto here.