The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

The Dipterists Forum holds an annual weekend course at the Preston Montford field studies centre near Shrewsbury. These courses cover selected families of flies in detail, and the 2020 course will be about flies with patterned wings, including the Tephritidae, Ulidiidae, Pallopteridae and Opomyzidae. It will take place from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th February. Running simultaneously with this will be a beginners� course on hoverflies (Syrphidae).
The Forum also has annual residential summer field meetings lasting for one week. These take place at various venues around the country, and the 2020 meeting is expected to be based in Falmouth from the 27th of June to the 4th of July. Attendees spend their days in the field collecting and observing flies, and evenings in a laboratory where they can identify their catches alongside other dipterists. Beginners are made very welcome and can gain valuable knowledge from more experienced members.

We offer up to two bursaries for the Preston Montford course and three for the summer field meeting. Each bursary covers half the total cost including accommodation costs. If you would like to apply for a bursary please send your application by e-mail to Howard Bentley, [email protected]

Your application should say what you hope to gain from attending, how you would expect to contribute to the Forum�s aims of the study, recording and conservation of Diptera, and why you would benefit from financial assistance. If you are currently involved in a research programme please include brief details. We will be looking for evidence of enthusiasm and interest in flies. Preference may be given to those who have not received a bursary previously. Applications should not exceed 300 words. Successful applicants will be expected to write a short account of their experience afterwards, and this will be published in the Forum�s Bulletin.

Applicants must be members of the Dipterists Forum. The closing dates for applications are: Friday 29th November 2019 for Preston Montford; Friday 27th March 2020 for the field meeting. If you would like further details of what is involved in these meetings please send a request to the e-mail address above.