Intermediate-level workshop on Bayesian occupancy, N-mixture and population modelling

An intermediate-level workshop on Bayesian occupancy, N-mixture and population modelling using NIMBLE and JAGS will be held at the University of Debrecen, from 22 to 26 June 2026. Marc Kéry and Michael Schaub from the Swiss Ornithological Institute will hold it.

Find complete workshop instructions here. 

The instructors will cover key models in the analysis of distribution, abundance and animal demography, as well as their spatial and temporal patterns, in a Bayesian analysis framework, following the book “Bayesian population analysis using WinBUGS” (Academic Press, 2012) in concept. They will introduce Bayesian statistical inference and computation, and use the programs NIMBLE and JAGS, from R, to fit and understand some of the most widely used models for the analysis of animal and plant populations.

In this intermediate-level workshop about 90% of the time is spent on lecturing and 10% on solving exercises. No previous experience with program NIMBLE or JAGS, or Bayesian statistics, is assumed. However, a good working knowledge of modern regression methods (i.e. generalised linear models and some mixed modeling) and of program R is required.

Price

Registration: Reduced fees for master and PhD-students and for Central/Eastern European countries
Central/Eastern Europe: Student € 75; Regular € 150
Elsewhere: Student € 150; Regular € 300

Please send your application to Michael Schaub (michael.schaub@vogelwarte.ch), with cc to Zoltán Németh (nemethzoltan@science.unideb.hu), describing your background and knowledge in statistical modelling, R and NIMBLE/JAGS, by 25 February 2026 at the latest. Workshop invitations with practical information will be sent out immediately afterwards.

Photo of University of Debrecen, main building by Horváth Árpád, CC BY-SA 2.0