MONOGRAM 2025

 

Venue: Medrus Suite, Penbryn, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3BY Wales, UK

Start date
7th April 2025

End date
10th April 2025

Download the Monogram 2025 Agenda

 

 

Register Here

Registration Payment Deadline 15th February 2025

https://shop.aber.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/cynadleddau-conferences/addysgol-educational

Abstract Submission

Abstract submission, Deadline Registration Payment Deadline 15th February 2025  please follow this link:

https://forms.office.com/e/diuDAa6DEU

We are delighted to welcome you to Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK for MONOGRAM 2025.

The annual Monogram conference https://monogram.ac.uk brings together researchers with an active interest in small grain cereal and grasses (including C4 energy grasses) research. The conference includes an Early Career Researchers (ECRs) pre-conference workshop, plenary and keynote talks, the Rank Prize lecture, the Rank Prize early career researchers (ECR) excellence lecture, the Monogram Early Career Excellence Awards (MECEA) and selected talks from submitted abstracts, poster sessions and poster flash talks. This conference is open to all researchers in academia and industry with an interest in cereals and grasses. 

Conference Sessions

Conference Sessions

  • Crop diversification for food, forage and bioenergy
  • Abiotic and Biotic stress management for resilience
  • Farm to Fork: Quality and Nutrition
  • Physiology and Resource Use
  • Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Below and Above Ground Development for growth and adaptation
  • Phenomics and AI for precision crop improvement

Keynote Speakers


Prof. Janneke Balk
John Innes Centre
Rank Prize Keynote talk: Mineral biofortification of crops: from Arabidopsis to wheat field trials.
 
 

Dr. Simon Giffiths
John Innes Centre
 
 
 
 

Dr. Martin Mascher
IPK, Gatersleben
Keynote talk: Barley crop evolution through the lens of pangenomics.

Dr. Pallavi Singh
University of Essex
Keynote talk: Hard Graft- Enhancing water use efficiency in crops.
 
 
 
Dr. Catherine Howarth
IBERS, Aberystwyth University
 
 
 
Prof. Ji Zhou
NIAB
 
 
 
 
Dr Stéphanie Swarbreck
NIAB
 
 
 
 
 
Dr. Lorna McAausland
University of Nottingham
Keynote tentative title: Turning up the heat; assessing photosynthetic acclimation to heat from wheat leaf to spike.
 
 
 
Dr Jim Fouracre
University of Bristol
ECR Rank Prize Lecture: Harnessing SPL transcription factors for real yield increases in false flax.
 
 

REGISTER NOW!

REGISTER NOW!

Key Dates: Registration deadline, Abstract submission and MECEA awards: 15th February 2025.

Registration. Registration fees include access to the meeting, tea and coffee break refreshments, and lunches (8th, 9th and 10th). Registration fee is £145 for students, £190 for non-students (Academia/Industry). The conference suite has a maximum capacity of 180, so entry is limited to 180 places. 

Gala dinner (9th April 2025) is an additional fee of £55. The Gala dinner will be hosted at the Conference Venue and has a maximum capacity of 120 people, so places are limited.

Information on Conference payment

  • Registration Fee for students: £145.00,
  • Registration Fee for Academia/Industry: £190.00
  • Gala Dinner: £55.00 (limited to 120 spaces).
  • Early Career Researchers pre-workshop on 7th April 2025: £0.00 (limited 25 spaces)
  • IBERS Tour on 9th April, afternoon: £0.00 (limited to 50 spaces). 

Register Here

ECR pre- conference workshop on 7th April 2025 by MONOGRAM

ECR pre- conference workshop on 7th April 2025 by MONOGRAM

Monogram 2025 is hosting an in-person, pre-conference workshop for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) on 7th April 2025 from 2pm at the Medrus Suite, Penbryn, Penglais Campus. As a commitment to the development of ECRs in the small grains industry, the workshop will include sessions on career options with speakers from academia, institutions and industry, and getting the most out of the conference. There will also be a dedicated ECR-networking session with dinner and a pub quiz! Monogram has made available 25 fully funded places for this workshop on a first-come, first-served basis. 

*Conference registration is required to attend the ECR pre-conference workshop on 7th April 2025. 

MonoGram Early Career Excellence Awards 

MonoGram Early Career Excellence Awards 

Nominations are invited for the 11th annual MonoGram Early Career Excellence Award (MECEA). 

  • PhD students
  • Early career post-doctoral scientists (up to 5 year’s post-PhD graduation)

These awards seek to recognise outstanding young scientists and researchers in the field of small grain cereal and grass research in the UK. MECEA awards consider research contributions in basic and applied disciplines, as well as contributions of excellence to scientific outreach and promotion activities. The winners will receive a £300 cash prize and will have the opportunity to present their work at MONOGRAM 2025. Eligibility criteria and the application process can be found via the MECEA web page. The deadline for applications is 15th February 2025. 

ECR bursaries: ECR bursaries are available to cover registration fees of 2 PhD students and 2 post-doctoral researchers (up to 5 year’s post-PhD graduation). The Monogram committee will select the best applications based on merit and demonstration of the need for the bursary to attend the conference and we will ensure balance in gender and diversity during the selection process. 

To apply, send a one-page article describing a specific piece of your work and/or broader contribution to the community. This should communicate the applicant’s work as well as its importance, relevance and wider context. This article should be appropriate for subsequent publication on the Monogram blog. Please limit the length to: A4, 11 Arial font, 2 cm margin, including figures. A supporting statement from the PI/line manager of no more than 300 words. A 2-page CV, listing key achievements to monogram2025@aber.ac.uk with a subject headline ‘MECEA-Your First name’.

Eligibility criteria and the application process can be found via the MECEA web page. The deadline for applications is 15th February 2025. 

Travel awards from Association of Applied Biologists (AAB)

Travel awards from Association of Applied Biologists (AAB)

Association of Applied Biologists Travel Grants for Early Career Professionals (ECPs)

The Association of Applied Biologists are delighted to supply three £350 grants to support the attendance to Monogram 2025 of Early Career Professionals (within 5 years of finishing full-time education, excluding career breaks). Please apply for this grant before 31stJanuary 2025 https://www.aab.org.uk/conferences/student-travel-grants/.

About Aberystwyth

About Aberystwyth

 Aberystwyth is a historic seaside town located on the west coast of Wales, nestled between the rugged Cambrian Mountains and the Irish Sea. The town is home to Aberystwyth University, one of the oldest universities in Wales.

Aberystwyth University Established in 1872 as the first University College of Wales, Aberystwyth University is renowned globally for its excellence in teaching and research. Providing students with a safe and supported environment is a top priority for the University and has been voted top in Wales for student satisfaction for the ninth year in a row (National Student Survey 2024). It is also ranked among the top three universities in the UK for teaching quality and student experience by The Times and Sunday Times' Good University Guide 2024.

https://www.accessable.co.uk/organisations/aberystwyth-university

Conference venue: Medrus Suite, Penbryn, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University.

Travel to Aberystwyth University

Travel to Aberystwyth University

By road

Chester to Aberystwyth: Total Distance: 98 miles; Total time: c. 2 hrs 30 mins

From Chester take the A483 (via Wrexham) and then the A5 to Oswestry, take the A483 to Welshpool then to Newtown. From Newtown follow signs for A470 Llangurig, from here follow the A44 to Aberystwyth.

To get to the Penglais Campus - follow the A44 through Llanbadarn Fawr (1 mile from Aberystwyth). Turn left at the traffic lights after the filling station, then immediately left continuing along the A44. At the Coopers Arms Pub, the end of the A44, turn right onto Penglais Road A487 (signposted University) and drive uphill for half a mile, passing Bronglais NHS Trust and the National Library. Penglais campus is clearly seen on the right-hand side.

Birmingham to Aberystwyth: Total Distance: 124 miles; Total time: c. 2 hrs 50 mins

M6 Northbound, follow signs to Telford and the M54 and A5 to Shrewsbury. From Shrewsbury follow signs and A458 to Welshpool, then A483 to Newtown.  From Newtown follow signs for A470 Llangurig, from here follow the A44 to Aberystwyth.

To get to the Penglais Campus - follow the A44 through Llanbadarn Fawr (1 mile from Aberystwyth). Turn left at the traffic lights after the filling station, then immediately left continuing along the A44. At the Coopers Arms Pub, the end of the A44, turn right onto Penglais Road A487 (signposted University) and drive uphill for half a mile, passing Bronglais NHS Trust and the National Library. Penglais campus is clearly seen on the right-hand side.

Cardiff to Aberystwyth: Total Distance: 109 miles;Total time: c. 2 hrs 30 mins

M4 Westbound, and at the end of the M4 continue along the A48, following signs to Carmarthen. From here take the A486 to Lampeter, then the A482 to Aberaeron. Finally, take the coastal road (A487) to Aberystwyth.

To get to the Penglais Campus – follow the A487 through Penparcau (1 mile from Aberystwyth). Turn right at the roundabout, signposted Llanbadarn Fawr, and drive down a steep hill to another, larger, roundabout near Safeway. Turn right taking the last exit, traveling towards Llanbadarn Fawr crossing 2 railway lines. Take the next left onto the A44 signposted Aberystwyth. At the Coopers Arms Pub, the end of the A44, turn right onto Penglais Road A487 (signposted University) and drive uphill for half a mile, passing Bronglais NHS Trust and the National Library. Penglais campus is clearly seen on the right-hand side.

By Train

From London Euston Train Station or Milton Keynes Train Station, you will need to catch a service that travels to Birmingham International or Birmingham New Street Train Station. At either Birmingham International or Birmingham New Street Train Station, you will need to change trains for Aberystwyth. The total journey time from London including the change is approximately 5 hours

More details on travelling to Aberystwyth University can be found in the below link.

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/discover-aberystwyth/travel/

Parking information and maps

Temporary parking permits are available for MONOGRAM 2025 delegates! 
If you need a parking permit for the event, please email us for more details and to request one.

Parking Permits: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/efr/parking/visitor/#parking-permits

University Maps: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/discover-aberystwyth/maps/

Accommodation

Accommodation

On-campus accommodation options: We have budget accommodation options on campus

  • Penbryn: Our budget single bedroom accommodation is located on the first, second, third and fourth floors, accessed by stairs, there is no lift. Sharing a kitchenette and bathroom facilities (2 bathrooms in each flat, shared between up to 20 bedrooms. No pets are allowed. 2-night minimum stay at £30.00 per night.
  • Bunkhouse: Bunkhouse accommodation has 90 individual bedrooms, consisting of either double or single beds. Sharing a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom facilities (2 toilets and 2 showers) with 8 bedrooms per flat.

For pricing and booking please visit: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/visitors/bunkhouse/.

NOTE: To book university accommodations,  please use the link below and use the promotional code Monogram.

 https://bookaccommodation.aber.ac.uk/

Aberystwyth Town Hotels: All hotels are in Aberystwyth town, no more than a 30-minute walk from the conference venue.

 

Key Dates

Key dates

  • Registration Payment Deadline 15th February 2025
  • Abstract Submission Deadline 15th February 2025
  • MECEA and ECR bursaries Application Deadline 11th February 2025 
  • Abstract Notification 28th February 2025 

Contact us

 

Register Here

Registration Payment Deadline 15th February 2025

https://shop.aber.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/cynadleddau-conferences/addysgol-educational

Abstract Submission

Abstract submission, Deadline Registration Payment Deadline 15th February 2025  please follow this link:

https://forms.office.com/e/diuDAa6DEU

Follow us on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13114771/

X: @MonogramUK

BlueSky: @monogram-uk.bsky.social