Cape Town, South Africa — Iziko Museums of South Africa, in partnership with the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC), is set to host the SPNHC Annual Conference 2026. Hosted on the African continent for the first time, this global scientific collaboration will bring together museum professionals, collection managers, curators, educators and researchers from 6-11 September 2026.
Themed, “Bridging Hemispheres: Collaborating for a Unified Natural Heritage,” SPNHC 2026 comprises of a week-long program of field trips, plenary sessions, symposia, workshops, and social events. Natural history collections are foundational resources for applied research towards global societal benefit. The conference – a global platform – will explore topics like specimen digitisation, collections care, best practices, ethical stewardship, technology and knowledge integration.
Hosting SPNHC in South Africa highlights the pivotal role of African institutions in global scientific research. South Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity and rich fossil record make it an ideal host for these global discussions. As home to some of the planet’s richest biodiversity hotspots and significant palaeontological and botanical collections, South Africa offers an extraordinary setting for meaningful cross-hemispheric dialogue.
“Natural history collections are vital evidence for understanding the world we live in. By bridging the Global South and North, this conference fosters inclusive, equitable partnerships that empower collection professionals across every continent.” said Dr Wayne Florence of the SPNHC 2026 Local Organizing Committee “Bringing SPNHC to Africa for the first time is not just a geographic milestone—it is a strategic imperative for global science.”
Key Highlights of SPNHC 2026
- Intersection of Global Expertise & Emerging Voices veteran academics and collection managers, along early-career scientists, regional curators and researchers will share pioneering insights across natural history collection conservation, curation, and long-term care.
- Specialized Workshops & Field Trips: Immersive pre-conference training workshops alongside scientific field trips exploring South Africa’s rich heritage, including the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the West Coast Fossil Park.
- Hybrid Accessibility: Combining in-person sessions with virtual attendance to ensure global reach and inclusive participation, particularly for early-career researchers and delegates from low- and middle-income nations.
- Historic Location: Hosted at the iconic, 200-year-old Iziko South African Museum situated in Cape Town’s historical Company’s Garden.
As the first SPNHC conference hosted in Africa, SPNHC 2026 showcases the power of partnership between SPNHC, Iziko Museums of South Africa, the Natural Science Collections Facility (NSCF), and a broad network of scientific and heritage institutions. Together, these organisations are strengthening global collaboration, advancing collections-based research, and building a lasting legacy for natural heritage stewardship across Africa and beyond.
Conference poster presentations will also be displayed in the iconic Whale Well at the Iziko South African Museum from 8 to 11 September, giving the public a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research from around the world. To learn more about the conference, visit the official website at spnhc.org/spnhc-2026-south-africa.
