From 8 to 10 September, Dr Tilen Genov, president of Morigenos, visited the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he delivered a seminar and a practical workshop for staff and students. The visit took place as part of the collaboration between the university and Morigenos, at the invitation of the Bell Edwards Geographic Data Institute, which is part of the School of Geography and Sustainable Development.

In his seminar, entitled »Dolphins of Slovenia, Africa and Globally: The Importance of Studying Dolphins and Whales«, he highlighted the broader significance of studying these animals. Whales and dolphins attract considerable public interest, helping to draw attention to the importance of biodiversity conservation. At the same time, they serve as important indicators of human-induced changes in the marine environment. While some species are abundant and globally distributed, others have restricted ranges and are on the brink of extinction.

Drawing on two separate yet interconnected case studies from his own work, he presented research and conservation efforts focused on two very different dolphin species—one in the northern Adriatic and the other off the coast of West Africa. He also demonstrated how research on individual species contributes to a broader understanding of the marine environment and explained why whale and dolphin conservation is important in the context of climate change mitigation.

The seminar was followed by a workshop on photo-identification, one of the key methods used in whale and dolphin research. Participants learned what data researchers collect using this method, how individual animals are identified from the distinctive natural features of their dorsal fins, and how the resulting data can be used for research. During the practical session, they put what they had learned into practice by identifying individual animals themselves.

The visit offered a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration with the University of St Andrews, and present the research and conservation work of Morigenos in an international academic setting.