Workshop: Bayesian Hierarchical Modelling for Ecologists Tom ...

Workshop: Bayesian Hierarchical Modelling for Ecologists
October 7-18
The goal of this workshop is to provide an entry point into contemporary statistical techniques (i.e.
likelihood and Bayesian modelling frameworks) for ecological researchers at the Department of
Ecology (SLU). Specifically the workshop will:
(1) teach the foundations and applications of Bayesian Hierarchical modelling
(2) provide extensive experience in applying these techniques to real data
(3) provide the foundation required for ongoing self-teaching
Tom Hobbs
Professor Tom Hobbs from Colorado State University, USA
http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/hobbs-lab/ has agreed to lead this workshop. Tom is a world-leading
researcher whose work links empirical data to ecological models in natural and agricultural systems.
He is the author of many scientific papers showing how to use empirical data to inform ecological
models. He is currently writing a book on understanding Bayesian statistics for ecologists.
The Workshop
The workshop will be run during 10 days in October 2013 (Week 1: Oct 7-11 & Week 2: 14-18), with
each day approximately structured in the following way:
08:30-09:00 questions regarding the previous day’s exercises
09:00-10:00 lecture + small exercises
10:30-12:00 major computer exercises
13:00-14:30 lecture + small exercises
15:00-17:00 major computer exercises
Thus, there will be lots of interaction and active learning during the course
The analyses will be run in the R programming environment using JAGS. For those not familiar
with R you will need to work through a set of R exercises prior to the course to give you the necessary
programming experience for the exercises. In addition, the course will be structured so that people
will work in groups of two or three during the computer exercises, with participants put together
depending on their skill level and familiarity with the R-programming environment (i.e. we will
combine people with different skill levels so that the more experienced can help the less experienced
during the course).

Where, what and when?
Week 1: Akademihotellet (Övre Slottsgatan, Uppsala)
Course*: Likelihood, probability distributions,
programming MCMC, understanding Bayes theorem and
deriving it from the laws of probability, advantages of
Bayesian approaches over frequentist
Details: Day conference facilities, fika and lunch provided
for 5 days. Dinner and accommodation (if needed) are the
responsibility of the participant – we have special rates for
staying at Akademihotellet
*as a guide only
Week 2: Akademihotellet (Övre Slottsgatan, Uppsala)
Course: Bayesian hierarchical modelling, dynamic statespace
models, model selection
Details: Day conference facilities, fika and lunch provided
for 5 days. Dinner and accommodation (if needed) are the
responsibility of the participant – we have special rates for
staying at Akademihotellet
Who and how much?
There is space for a maximum of 20 participants and the course is open to all researchers – including
PhDs.
The Department of Ecology at SLU in conjunction with the Ecology Research School and a grant
from the August T Larsson Guest Researcher fund will cover most of the costs involved; however, it
may be necessary that each participant needs to contribute a few thousand SEK for the 2 week course
(exact amount to be confirmed).
What will I get?
You will get a brilliant and in-depth 2-week introduction into the world of contemporary statistical
ecological modelling using a Bayesian hierarchical framework. You will get the conference facilities,
fika and lunch provided in Uppsala. Tom will also distribute course notes and copies of his lectures
during the two weeks. For PhDs the course credits will be 4.5 ECTS.
How do I apply (or for more information)?
Contact: Matt Low at matt.low@slu.se
In case the course is oversubscribed there will need to be some selection of participants – could
applicants please motivate, in a few lines, why this course would be of value to them in their work
here at SLU.