About the Symposium
BAT X AUSTRIA
is a one-day symposium in Vienna that brings together ecological research, veterinary medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, science communication, and environmental education. The event addresses current challenges in bat conservation from a transdisciplinary perspective. It focuses on integrative approaches that combine scientific knowledge, practical expertise, and public engagement.
In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss, climate-driven habitat shifts, and the growing risk of zoonotic diseases, dialogue between research, practice, and society is becoming increasingly vital. The symposium features scientific talks, critical discussions, applied case studies, and participatory formats that transcend disciplinary boundaries and professional domains.
Our Instagram Account: @batxaustria
Call for papers/posters CLOSED
We regret that we are not able to issue a general call for papers for this year’s BAT X AUSTRIA Symposium. As this is our first edition, we are operating on a limited budget and within tight time constraints, which makes an open submission process difficult at this stage. However, we are already seeing how valuable and vibrant this conference format can be – and we remain open to special contributions that align well with the symposium’s aims. If you have an idea for a short talk, demonstration, or interdisciplinary contribution that would meaningfully complement the programme, feel free to get in touch with us directly. Contact: Rym Nouioua – rym.nouioua@fledermausstation.at or rym.nouioua@univie.ac.at Please include a short description of your proposed contribution (max. 250 words) and relevant affiliation. We may not be able to accommodate all proposals, but we will do our best to consider meaningful additions within the limits of our structure and capacity. BUT - We Are Looking for Posters! We warmly invite students, early-career researchers, practitioners, and citizen scientists to present their work during the poster session of BAT X AUSTRIA. This session offers a space for informal dialogue and visibility, especially for emerging projects, practice-based insights, and creative contributions that don’t always fit traditional formats. We welcome posters on topics including (but not limited to): 🦇Bat ecology, species behaviour, and monitoring 🦇Conservation practice and rehabilitation 🦇Urban biodiversity and multispecies habitats 🦇Wildlife health and zoonoses 🦇Community science and public engagement 🦇Educational or artistic approaches to conservation 🦇Public artistic work related to nature and multispecies relations To submit a poster proposal, please send the following by 15.August, 2025 to rym.nouioua@univie.ac.at 🦇Your full name 🦇Affiliation 🦇Poster title 🦇Abstract (max. 200 words) 🦇Preferred language (English or German) There is no registration fee - Poster contributors receive: Free access to the symposium, a certificate of participation, the opportunity to join all afternoon sessions and excursions. A limited number of student travel grants may be available upon request. We look forward to your contributions – and to creating a vibrant, interdisciplinary space of exchange!
Evening Excursions & Informal Pub Event
After the symposium (from 5:30 PM), we offer a selection of guided excursions with limited spots. Please choose only one excursion – full descriptions are listed below.
⚠️ At the end of August, all registered participants will receive an email with a link to select and book their spot. Places are limited, so register quickly ;)
Pub-Quiz + Evening: At 8:00 PM, we warmly invite you to join our informal pub evening: a relaxed space for networking, exchange, a small raffle, and winding down together.
Participation in both the excursions and the pub event is limited to registered main event attendees. More infos below :)
Choose Your Excursion
Bat Walk with Isa Klee
Discover the city as a habitat for bats – interactive, acoustic, and full of aha moments.
On this evening walk, we explore questions of urban conservation, visit the bat boxes on campus buildings (Öko Campus Vienna), follow bats using detectors, and develop ideas for bat-friendly cities.
Meeting point at 5:30 pm at the main entrance of the Haus des Meeres. From there, we will take bus 13A to the Campus (Brain Research Department), Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna. The Bat Walk will start at 6:15 pm (please be punctual). Volunteers will be on site to help you.
Limited to 20 participants – available only for registered main event attendees.
Fledermaus Station Österreich:
Behind the Scenes at the Bat Rehab Station
What is life like for a bat rescue centre on a daily basis? What does an injured bat need? How long does a bat stay with us?
This exclusive excursion offers rare insights into bat rescue work, including feeding and caring for injured animals, as well as encounters with long-term patients. Meeting point at 5:30 pm at Schadekgasse 6/1a, 1060 Vienna (a two-minute walk from Haus des Meeres, opposite street side). Volunteers will be on site to help you.
Limited to 25 participants - available only for registered main event attendees.
BioBox – Crossborder Biodiversity Toolbox - The Game
Co-Designing a Wildlife-Friendly City for Bats and Beyond
An Interreg Italy-Austria Project
Biodiversity is in stark decline worldwide, and bats, as key indicators of ecosystem health, are no exception. Cities, with their structural diversity and unique micro-climates, hold immense potential to become biodiversity hotspots. In Europe, up to 70% of green spaces in urban areas are privately owned, while industrial and commercial buildings occupy significant portions of the landscape. These spaces represent untapped opportunities for wildlife-friendly transformation. In this interactive game/workshop, we invite you to co-design the wildlife-friendly city of your dreams, with a special focus on bats. Step into the role of a key stakeholder – whether as a private citizen deciding the fate of their garden, a supermarket manager weighing the benefits of a rooftop meadow, or an urban planner envisioning bat-friendly corridors. Together, we will explore solutions to integrate biodiversity into urban spaces, leveraging the tools and insights of the BioBox project.
This is your chance to shape actionable strategies and propose meaningful changes that can be implemented through the BioBox initiative! Let’s collaborate to create cities where biodiversity, including bats, can thrive. Whatever you decide, remember: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Meeting point at 5:30 p.m. at the Haus des Meeres, main event room. Volunteers will be on site to help you.
Limited to 20 participants – available only for registered main event attendees.
Bat X Austria - Pub Quiz
Where knowledge meets fun – join us for the Bat X Pub Quiz at Down Under (1060 Vienna) and test your smarts on bats, biodiversity, and curious facts from the world of the symposium. Play solo or in a team, with a drink in your hand and curiosity in your mind, everyone’s welcome!
We’ll meet at 8:00 PM at Down Under, Windmühlgasse 32, 1060 Vienna. Prizes will be provided by supporting artists and sponsors - stay tuned!
Limited to 60 participants – available only for registered main event attendees.
Registration information!
Registration
Participation in the symposium is free of charge. Thanks to funding from the City of Vienna (MA22) and the University of Vienna, we are able to offer free registration.
The symposium is organised entirely on a voluntary basis by a small, highly committed team involved in research, care and education.
If you would like to support our work, we would be grateful for a donation to the Fledermaus Station Österreich, the symposium's host. Your support will benefit the organisation of BAT X AUSTRIA and the care of injured bats at the station.
We are aware that many students, young researchers and dedicated individuals are in precarious situations. However, every donation from those who can afford it is a valuable sign of recognition and a concrete contribution to strengthening inclusive, solidarity-based and transdisciplinary nature conservation.
Does it sound exciting? We look forward for your registration:
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Fledermaus Station Österreich
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BAT X AUSTRIA
Thank you!
BAT X AUSTRIA
is made possible through the generous support of:
🦇 Stadt Wien – Magistratsabteilung 22 (MA22)
🦇 Förderung für Klima- und Umweltprojekte in Wien
🦇 Veranstaltungsförderung der Universität Wien
(Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution)
Other sponsors:
All sponsors are listed in random order.
