The 57th annual meeting of the AASP – The Palynological Society will be held at the Scientific Institute of the University Mohammed V of Rabat, Morocco between April 22-26th 2025.
The meeting will be convened by the following organizing committee:
Hamid Slimani (Department of Geology and Remote Sensing, Scientific Institute, University Mohammed V of Rabat, Morocco)
Nadia Barhoun, Naima Bachiri Taoufiq, Touria Hssaida (Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ben M’Sik, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco)
Ahmed EL Hassani (Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, Morocco)
Sophie Warny (CENEX, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, US)
For information on Rabat and local logistics, please contact the local organizer Hamid Slimani at aasphamid@gmail.com
For information on visa letters, etc., please reach out to AASP President, Sophie Warny, at AASP aaspmeetings@gmail.com
A bit about Rabat, our host city
Rabat, located on the Atlantic coast in the northwest of Morocco, is at a true crossroads of influences, making it a fascinating destination for visitors. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing the “City of Light, Cultural Capital of the Kingdom”. Founded in 1150 by the Almohad Caliph Yacoub el-Mansour, it became the capital of Morocco in 1912, replacing Fez under the French protectorate. Rabat is home to the Royal Palace, Government Institutions and Embassies, and is an important political and administrative center. Its inscription on the World Heritage List in 2012 highlights its historical status, its urban planning and the beauty of its architecture, illustrating the harmony between its Arab-Muslim past and Western modernism. Rabat succeeds in combining modernity and authenticity, blending its historic heart with a contemporary city. Its buildings reflect an history of antiquity, enriched over centuries. In addition to its administrative role, Rabat is the capital of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region. Highlights include the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, offering stunning views of the Bou Regreg Valley and the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a 12th-century Almohad fortress. Other sites of interest include Rue des Consuls, Souika, Bab El Had, the Royal Palace, the Chellah Necropolis, the Mohammed VI Museum and Mohammed V Avenue.
Rabat’s markets and souks are a feast for the senses, offering a vibrant palette of colors, sounds, and aromas. Visitors can explore local artisans, textiles, and spices, immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of Moroccan culture. The lively atmosphere and the variety of goods make a visit to these markets an exciting and unforgettable experience.
Transportation in Rabat is convenient. The TGV (Alburaq) provides fast connections to Casablanca to the south and Tangier to the north. The tram system makes it easy to get around the city. Overall, Rabat seamlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern conveniences, offering a unique experience highlighting Morocco’s past and present. Whether strolling through its ancient streets or enjoying its contemporary cafes, visitors will discover a city full of charm.
Schedule at a glance:
Tuesday April 22nd Arrival in Rabat, ice-breaker in the evening at the Royal Nautic Club Bouregreg
Wednesday-Friday April 23rd-25th
– A three-day conference (talks and posters)
– Early-Career-Scientist (ECR) event on Wednesday at lunch
– Business Luncheon on Thursday at Lunch
– Conference dinner on Thursday evening
Saturday April 26th: Post-conference field trip (one full day)
All details on sessions and talk schedule will be posted in April, once all abstracts have been received.
The conference will start with the ice-breaker and registration in the Royal Nautique Club Bouregreg on Tuesday evening. This amazing site is located in Salé on the right bank of the Bou Regreg River and has a breathtaking view of the cities of Rabat and Salé. Bus transportation will be provided. More details will be sent to all registered participants via email.
Conference lectures and poster presentations will be held at the Institut Scientifique, Université Mohammed V de Rabat, 4, Avenue Ibn Batouta, B.P 703, 10106 Rabat, Morocco.
The registration fee (USD) covers full registration, morning and afternoon coffee-breaks, lunches (other than the business luncheon), and ice-breaker reception. The registration also includes an Early Career Networking gathering for all students and post-doctoral fellows.
If you are not a member, and which to become one, click here to register and qualify for lowest rate:
| Early Bird (before March 15) | Regular (March 16 onwards) | |
| Student member | 200 $ | 225 $ |
| Student non-member | 250 $ | 275 $ |
| Professional member | 280 $ | 310 $ |
| Professional non-member | 340 $ | 370 $ |
For ECR only (students and post-docs)
ECR Luncheon: If you are an ECR and interested to join this event, please add this item to your registration so that we can get a head count. It is free.
Optional for all
Conference dinner: 69 $
AASP-Business Luncheon: 30 $
Post-meeting field trip: 50 $
Please note that accommodation in Rabat must be booked separately. Details on a wide range of suggestions in the city center are available in the accommodation section.
Please contact Dr. Hamid Slimani (aasphamid@gmail.com) should you need a letter of invitation for visa regulations.
The AASP – The Palynological Society will provide limited travel support for student members intending to present talks or posters at the forthcoming meeting in Rabat, Morocco. For more information, please follow this link: https://palynology.org/student-travel-awards/
The three-day program will include a wide range of general to technical sessions. We welcome abstracts on any aspects of palynology, covering deep time to present. We have identified five focus sessions in addition to a general session. Updates will be made as abstracts are being submitted.
Proposed sessions:
o Session 1: Mesozoic and Cenozoic Dinoflagellate cyst research.
o Session 2: Palynological data, climate reconstructions and model simulations
o Session 3: Human-environmental interactions and vegetation change
o Session 4: Paleozoic and Mesozoic palynology
o Session 5: Applied palynostratigraphy
o Session 6: General palynology and new frontiers in palynology
o Session 7: Neogene vegetation and climate in the Mediterranean region
o Session 8: The role of palynology in carbon sequestration efforts and energy transition
Abstracts must be submitted before March 1st, 2025.
Important note: oral presentations are limited to one oral presentation per presenter. Exception will be made only if space is available. If multiple abstracts are submitted, please let us know which one is selected as your oral presentation.
To submit an abstract:
Use the abstract template (click here to download the form) and follow the formatting instructions
The abstract should be limited to one page.
Send the word-file via e-mail to Dr. Hamid Slimani: aasphamid@gmail.com
E-mail subject line: AASP Meeting 2025 Abstract
Indicate clearly in the e-mail:
– Oral preference or Poster preference
– Session preference:
Session 1: Mesozoic and Cenozoic Dinoflagellate cyst research.
Session 2: Palynological data, climate reconstructions and model simulations
Session 3: Human-environmental interactions and vegetation change
Session 4: Paleozoic and Mesozoic palynology
Session 5: Applied palynostratigraphy
Session 6: General palynology and new frontiers in palynology
Session 7: Neogene vegetation and climate in the Mediterranean region.
Session 8: The role of palynology in carbon sequestration efforts and energy transition
Are you eligible for Best Student Contribution (MS and PhD students)? Yes No
Multiple abstracts are welcome but only one oral presentation per presenter.
We anticipate that regular talks will be 15 minutes including questions. Keynote speakers will be given 25 minutes. If there are more submission of talks than there are presentation slots, the organizers may have to move some of the talks to a poster format.
Posters will be on display during the conference, during associated session.
More info on how to prepare your presentations and posters will be available in due course. As a general guideline, posters should follow this format: height max 84cm, width max 120cm (portrait). Material to affix the poster will be provided.
Early Career Networking lunch on Wednesday
Wednesday April 23rd, 2025
Free but limited to all students and post-docs registered to the conference.
Where?
At The new Arribat Center, which offers a great variety of shops, caterers and various places to enjoy a desert or Moroccan tea.
Business Luncheon
Thursday April 24th, 2025
The Business Luncheon will be a caterer lunch at the Institut Scientifique, Université Mohammed V de Rabat. Cost $30.
Conference dinner
Thursday April 24th, 2025
Where?
Dinner will be hosted at the Trois Palmiers Restaurant, in the nearby town of Temara, on the beautiful Atlantic coast.
Cost of dinner and bus transportation: $69.
The bus will pick all registered participants at the Institut Scientifique at 5:30 pm.
Post-meeting field trip
Saturday, April 26th
Location and topic: Paleozoic basement facies of Rabat (Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous) and its Cenozoic cover (Miocene and Quaternary). Particular attention will be given to the GSSP for the base of the Messinian stage on the left bank of the Akrech Wadi, south of Rabat, and to the Silurian-Devonian boundary on the right bank of the Bou Regreg Wadi.
Guide: Ahmed El Hassani (Member of the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, Morocco)
Max. participants: 20
Registration for the post-meeting field trip will be limited to 20 participants plus guides. In case of over-subscription, the first-come-first-served principle will apply, in combination with criteria that ensure priority for scientists having travelled far, requiring access to specific sites for current research, and/or a fair spread amongst participants across institutes.
Registration for the meeting will not include accommodation, and participants are responsible for making their own bookings. The city of Rabat offers a wide range of accommodation for all budgets. We recommend that participants select a hotel to be walking distance from the conference site.
For all other participants, below is a non-exhaustive list of some suggested hotels (from basic to more luxurious) with prices as listed on Orbitz as of November 2024, and the distance to the conference site.
Ourida Urban Hotel (~$60/night, 16-minute walk, 1.2 km)
NJ Hotel Rabat (~$90/night, 13-minute walk, 0.9 km)
Ibis Rabat Agdal (~$100/night, 34-minute walk, 2.5 km), next to the train station
Hotel Le Musée (~$100/night, 20-minute walk, 1.4 km)
Rabat Marriott Hotel (~$300/night,12-minute walk, 0.9 km)
Tour Hassan Palace (~250/night, 30 minute walk, 2.1 km)
There are a few ways to travel to Rabat, Morocco, including by plane, train, bus, or car:
Plane
Fly into Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) in Salé, which is about 30 minutes northeast of Rabat by car. A taxi to town costs about DH200, or you can take the Stareo Bus company’s express bus service to the city center for DH20.
Train
Rabat has frequent train connections to major centers in Morocco, including Marrakech, Fez, and Casablanca. There are two train stations in Rabat: Rabat Ville in downtown and Rabat Agdal. The two stations are close to the conference location at the Institut Scientifique (20 minutes walk) or by taking a “Petit-Taxi” for about 2$ (=15 MAD).
Car
You can drive to Rabat from Agadir or Casablanca, but 4×4 rentals are recommended due to the condition of some roads.
High-speed train
The High Speed Train (TGV) serves Rabat, Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat-Agdal and Casablanca-Voyageurs. You can buy tickets on the spot or on the ONCF website.
Tram
Rabat has two tramlines (T1 and T2) that serve the major areas of the city from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (the ticket price is 6 MAD)
Tourism and additional scientific visits:
Free scientific visits of the geological collection of the Scientific Institute, where the 57th AASP-TPS meeting will be held.
Tourism info can be found at :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabat
https://www.rabat-maroc.net/
https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Tourism-g293736-Rabat_Rabat_Sale_Kenitra-Vacations.html