Compiled by Milo Phillips, Digitisation Co-ordinator at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Welcome to the January edition of NatSCA Digital Digest.
A monthly blog series featuring the latest on where to go, what to see and do in the natural history sector including jobs, exhibitions, conferences, and training opportunities. We are keen to hear from you if you have any top tips and recommendations for our next Digest, please drop an email to blog@natsca.org.
Sector News
NatSCA Conference 2026 – Call for Papers
In partnership with the Ulster Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland, NatSCA would like to announce our upcoming 2026 conference, Collaborating and Connecting with Natural History.
We invite proposals that demonstrate effective partnerships and creative collaborations with museums, as well as outside organizations.
The conference itself will take place from May 14th and 15th.
Guidance for attendance and proposals can be found on the event page here. Please read the Call for Papers submission form at the above link for more details! Submissions are due by 5:00 pm GMT on Sunday the 8th of February.
24th Conference of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies – Abstract Submissions Open
IFORS is now accepting abstract submissions in preparation for the upcoming conference Decision Support for a Sustainable World. The conference will be held July 12th through 17th at the University of Vienna, Austria. Details on the conference and access to the submissions portal can be found on their website, along with program details and information on registration.
Abstract submissions are open now and close March 15th. Registration opens April 25th.
NEW NatSCA BLOG POSTS for 2026!
Do you have something exciting coming up next year that you’d like to promote? Is there a subject you’ve been itching to write about? With over 2000 views a month, the NatSCA blog is a great way of getting your work out there.
Jen is seeking blog posts for 2026, so if you have something in the pipeline that you would love to tell everyone about, drop her a line! This is an excellent opportunity to book yourself in a slot for any time in the year.
If you are interested but have any questions, please email blog@natsca.org. You can also find guidelines on how to contribute here: Guidelines for contributions to the NatSCA blog | NatSCA.
Where to Visit
Giants at National Museums Scotland
Running January 31st until September 14th 2026, Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago.
Encounter Otodus megalodon, the largest shark to have ever swum the oceans, and Titanoboa, the biggest ever snake. What advantages did their immense size offer? Why did they eventually face extinction? How were they discovered?
The Giants exhibition is designed and produced by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. More details and ticket bookings can be found on the event page here.
Future of Food at the Science Museum, London – Extended!
A new, free exhibition about how food must change to protect the planet. Now extended until 1 September 2026.
How does our food today go from field to plate? How did food use to be produced in the past? And how will major advances in ecology and biotechnology change food in the future?
Details and bookings can be found here.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the London Natural History Museum
Now in its sixth decade, Wildlife Photographer of the Year sees photographers from across the globe set out to document nature’s most incredible moments.
Open now until July 12th 2026, exhibition details and ticket booking information can be found on the event page here.
What to Read
Have a look back at our Top Blogs of 2025
We’ve got a wonderful round up of last years blogs for you to peruse. From Blaschka models Monstrous Crabs on display, there’s all sorts to keep you occupied and enjoy with a warm cup of tea on these chilly January days. Don’t forget, we’re always looking for contributions to the blog, so do get in touch if you have something to shout enthusiastically about.
Where to Work
Royal Holloway – Freelance Project Exhibition Curator, Ocean Plastics Exhibition
Royal Holloway, University of London is seeking to appoint a Freelance Project Exhibition Curator to lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of public exhibition on Ocean Plastics & Sustainability, delivered in partnership with SC Johnson (SCJ).
£15,000 (fixed); Fixed-term 8-10 months; hybrid working.
Closing date January 11th at midnight. Details on how to apply can be found here.
Before You Go…
If you have any top tips and recommendations for our next Digest please drop an email to blog@natsca.org. Similarly, if you have something to say about a current topic, or perhaps you want to tell us what you’ve been working on, we welcome new blog articles so please drop Jen an email if you have anything you would like to submit.
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