Bayesian Statistics workshops

Develop Bayesian analyses of biological data from prior specification and posterior estimation to computational diagnostics and multimodal integration. Practical work covers conjugate and non-conjugate models, Gibbs and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo, convergence checks, hierarchical regression, regularisation and variational inference. Later sessions compare data-fusion strategies and Bayesian factor models while quantifying uncertainty in integrated biomedical datasets. Sessions: 30 November–4 December, 14:00–18:00 daily, Europe/Berlin (CET, UTC+01:00), with Slack discussion between meetings. Live online training; fee €480. For advanced MSc, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with R/Bioconductor, probability, statistics and regression experience.

Reconstruct evolutionary trees while representing prior knowledge and uncertainty in BEAST2. Lectures and tutorials explain prior selection, birth–death and coalescent models, fossil information, multispecies coalescence and rate variation across clades. Participants compare models and troubleshoot practical analyses, with time to develop their own datasets. The emphasis is on choosing and diagnosing complex models rather than treating software settings as a black box. Live Zoom sessions: 30 November; 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11 December, 15:00–18:30, Europe/Madrid (CET, UTC+01:00). Total 35 hours: 21 live plus 14 independent, with Slack-supported tasks. English-language live online course; Fee €680; Ambassador Institution rate €544. VAT included. Capacity: 20. A Biology degree, or palaeontological background, and familiarity with Bayesian phylogenetics are expected; an introductory video series can supply the prerequisite. Registration requires acceptance; payment follows confirmation. Recordings are provided, but live attendance is required for a certificate.

This course develops a species-distribution modelling workflow using Bayesian additive regression trees. Participants compare BART with other modelling approaches and use the R packages embarcadero and dbarts to choose environmental predictors, train and evaluate occurrence models, and predict presence or absence in new places or periods. The programme introduces Bayesian regression and boosted trees, then examines predictor effects, interactions, spatial effects and random-intercept BART models, with practical troubleshooting and interpretation. Live online teaching takes place from 15:00 to 18:00 Berlin time (CET, UTC+1) on 9–11 February 2027. The programme also specifies four additional hours of independent practical work using annotated R scripts and online support. Advanced students, researchers and practitioners should already know the basics of species-distribution modelling and be comfortable using RStudio, installing packages and editing simple scripts. A laptop, webcam and reliable internet connection are required. The standalone course fee is EUR 390.

The course teaches causal reasoning for ecological and evolutionary studies where controlled experiments may be impractical. Participants translate biological hypotheses into directed graphs, identify confounding and selection structures, and fit Bayesian structural equation models in R. Practical work covers posterior diagnostics, mediation, mixed response types, hidden causes, competing models and phylogenetic dependence. The programme emphasizes what observational evidence can and cannot establish, with opportunities to develop analyses for participants’ own systems. Online sessions run 14:00–18:00 Berlin time. The course fee is €480.

Develop phylogenetic comparative methods from their probabilistic foundations using Julia. Participants implement likelihood and Bayesian inference, including Markov chain Monte Carlo, and study Brownian motion, continuous-time Markov chains and birth–death processes. These tools are applied to trait evolution, biogeography and diversification, including the effects of environmental and biotic interactions. The practical course is intended for researchers familiar with programming, probability and phylogenetics; prior Julia experience is not required. Sessions on 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 March 2027, 14:00–18:00 Madrid time (CET). Fee including VAT: EUR 492 through 31 December 2026, then EUR 576; Ambassador Institution rates EUR 393.60 and EUR 460.80. Limited to 18 participants. Acceptance is confirmed before payment. Delivered live online in English with practical exercises. Live attendance is required for a certificate.