BCRA Cave Science Symposium

The British Cave Research Association are pleased to announce details of the 36th Annual Cave Science Symposium and associated field trips. The symposium will be hosted by Professor David Richards, Linda Wilson and Professor Fiona Whitaker at the University of Bristol’s School of Geographical Sciences, University Road Bristol on Saturday 11th October 2025. The programme of oral and poster presentations will be of interest to anyone wishing to learn more about cave and karst research and the underground environment.

Symposium – Saturday 11th October 2025
Field trips including Pen Park Hole, Bristol – Sunday 12th October 2025

We welcome everyone with an interest in caves and cave science. This will be a live in-person event but will also be streamed online, where possible. The BCRA AGM will be held in person and online at the end of the morning session. Following the symposium, an informal evening meal will be arranged for those who are interested. Further details will follow. Field trips will take place on Sunday 12th October in the wider Bristol area, including the nearby Mendips.

Call for Abstracts
This year’s scientific themes will include climate, faunal and archaeological records from caves in addition to karst hydrogeology and geomorphology.

Oral and poster presentations are invited on all areas of cave and karst science, including:
• past climate records from caves
• speleogenesis,
• karst hydrogeology,
• cave archaeology/palaeontology
• cave biology
• cave technology.

Those wishing to present at the Symposium should provide a title and an abstract of up to 300 words and indicate whether an oral presentation or poster presentation would be preferred. This should be sent to David Richards (david.richards@bristol.ac.uk) by 15th August 2025. Please include “BCRA” in the subject line of your email.

Registration
Entry is free of charge, but donations would be appreciated (we suggest £5 or £10 for non-students) to help cover the cost of the event. Donations can be made on the day or online at https://bcra.org.uk/bookshop/donate.html). Registration details will follow nearer the time.

Student Travel Grants
Support with travel costs will be available for students who provide a talk or poster and, subject to demand, it may be possible to offer travel support to other student attendees.

Further information
Details of the venue and local facilities in Bristol as well as details of the programme and field trips will follow in the second circular. For enquiries concerning oral or poster presentations please contact David Richards.

A sign-up link for the event, field trips and Saturday evening meal will be available nearer the time.