ADVANCED BioAcoustics Workshop 2026
2 - 7 February
IISER Tirupati is excited to host the Advanced Bioacoustics Workshop 2025, building on the success of our Primer to Conservation Bioacoustics Workshop 2024. This week-long, hands-on program is designed for practitioners who want to sharpen their skills in analyzing large acoustic datasets and applying them to ecological research. Participants will learn advanced analytic techniques through in-person lectures and practical R sessions led by experts from the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell University. The workshop also features a mid-week field trip to collect passive acoustic data and guided support on their own datasets. Participants will also get the chance to engage with leading researchers during a day-long symposium during the workshop.
Join us to expand your expertise, connect with a global bioacoustics community, and explore how technology is shaping the future of ecological research!
Join us to expand your expertise, connect with a global bioacoustics community, and explore how technology is shaping the future of ecological research!
Last date to apply 30th November 2025.
Participation is limited to Indian nationals.
Participation is limited to Indian nationals.
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Venue:
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (Permanent Campus, Yerpedu) Fees: Students - Rs 20,000 Working professionals - Rs 24,000 |
Eligibility: This workshop is aimed at students and professionals who have prior experience in bioacoustics analytical methods:
- BSc/MSc/PhD
- Working Professionals: Independent researchers, Conservation practitioners, NGOs
Number of participants: 20
We invite participants who are highly motivated to strengthen their analytical skills in processing bioacoustic data and to apply these skills to advance their own research projects. This workshop is intended for individuals with prior experience in bioacoustic data collection and a foundational understanding of analytical methods. Familiarity with some commonly used sound analysis software is expected.
We invite participants who are highly motivated to strengthen their analytical skills in processing bioacoustic data and to apply these skills to advance their own research projects. This workshop is intended for individuals with prior experience in bioacoustic data collection and a foundational understanding of analytical methods. Familiarity with some commonly used sound analysis software is expected.
Modules in focus:
Participants will take part in group projects using provided datasets to address questions with methods learned from the modules.
Symposium - Advancing research and collaboration in Bioacoustics:
This symposium brings together leading researchers and practitioners in the field of bioacoustics from across India to share recent advances and methodologies in acoustic ecology, wildlife monitoring, and conservation science. This event aims to evaluate the current state of bioacoustics research in the country, identify key challenges, and explore opportunities for coordinated efforts. The symposium will emphasize the critical need to establish a dedicated Bioacoustics Centre in India to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, standardize methodologies, and support large-scale data management and technological development, thereby advancing bioacoustics as a vital discipline for biodiversity research and conservation policy.
- Basic Acoustics Review + Data Management
- Detection/Classification & Machine Learning
- Localization
- Occupancy Modeling & Density Estimation
- Behavior & Soundscapes
Participants will take part in group projects using provided datasets to address questions with methods learned from the modules.
Symposium - Advancing research and collaboration in Bioacoustics:
This symposium brings together leading researchers and practitioners in the field of bioacoustics from across India to share recent advances and methodologies in acoustic ecology, wildlife monitoring, and conservation science. This event aims to evaluate the current state of bioacoustics research in the country, identify key challenges, and explore opportunities for coordinated efforts. The symposium will emphasize the critical need to establish a dedicated Bioacoustics Centre in India to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, standardize methodologies, and support large-scale data management and technological development, thereby advancing bioacoustics as a vital discipline for biodiversity research and conservation policy.
Modules overview:
1) Basic Acoustics Review + Data Management
This module reviews core concepts in bioacoustics, including sound physics, propagation, SONAR equations, sound levels, and digital signal processing basics. We cover sampling, calibration, Fourier transforms, spectrograms, and signal measurements. Best practices for acoustic data management are emphasized, including metadata, file formats, naming conventions, and storage strategies.
2) Detection/Classification & Machine Learning
Learn how automated detectors and classifiers help process large acoustic datasets efficiently. We explore popular detection tools, machine learning basics, and applications in dimensionality reduction and clustering. Participants will gain hands-on experience training and evaluating a custom detector/classifier for bioacoustic signals.
3) Localization
This module explores how vocalizations recorded across multiple devices can be localized in space. We introduce acoustic localization principles, direction-of-arrival estimation, and case studies connecting localization to abundance estimation. Challenges like synchronization, call association, and quantifying uncertainty are discussed.
4) Occupancy Modeling & Density Estimation
Discover how bioacoustics surveys can inform robust ecological models of species distribution and density. We cover occupancy modelling frameworks and their application in R, with examples of advanced extensions for multi-species and dynamic models. Special focus is given to accounting for imperfect detection. We review advances in density estimation, including distance sampling.
5) Behavior & Soundscapes
Explore how birdsong reveals communication, behaviour, through analyses of syntax, spectral variables and song-sharing patterns. Learn more on playback experiment design and behavioural response assessment. Broader applications include discussions on biodiversity monitoring using acoustic indices and real-time monitoring.
1) Basic Acoustics Review + Data Management
This module reviews core concepts in bioacoustics, including sound physics, propagation, SONAR equations, sound levels, and digital signal processing basics. We cover sampling, calibration, Fourier transforms, spectrograms, and signal measurements. Best practices for acoustic data management are emphasized, including metadata, file formats, naming conventions, and storage strategies.
2) Detection/Classification & Machine Learning
Learn how automated detectors and classifiers help process large acoustic datasets efficiently. We explore popular detection tools, machine learning basics, and applications in dimensionality reduction and clustering. Participants will gain hands-on experience training and evaluating a custom detector/classifier for bioacoustic signals.
3) Localization
This module explores how vocalizations recorded across multiple devices can be localized in space. We introduce acoustic localization principles, direction-of-arrival estimation, and case studies connecting localization to abundance estimation. Challenges like synchronization, call association, and quantifying uncertainty are discussed.
4) Occupancy Modeling & Density Estimation
Discover how bioacoustics surveys can inform robust ecological models of species distribution and density. We cover occupancy modelling frameworks and their application in R, with examples of advanced extensions for multi-species and dynamic models. Special focus is given to accounting for imperfect detection. We review advances in density estimation, including distance sampling.
5) Behavior & Soundscapes
Explore how birdsong reveals communication, behaviour, through analyses of syntax, spectral variables and song-sharing patterns. Learn more on playback experiment design and behavioural response assessment. Broader applications include discussions on biodiversity monitoring using acoustic indices and real-time monitoring.
Timetable overview:
Organising Team
Workshop personnel
Postdoc. Fellow, Cornell University Acoustic ecology, machine learning, marine mammals and fish 
V V Robin, Ph. D. Assoc. Professor, IISER Tirupati Ecology, biogeography and evolutionary ecology |
Postdoc. Fellow, Cornell University Acoustic localization, machine learning, signal processing 
Isha Bopardikar, Ph. D. Proj. Investigator, FERAL Density estimation and behaviour of marine mammals |
Postdoc. Fellow, Cornell University Macroecology, species distribution modeling, global change biology 
Chiti Arvind PhD Candidate, IISER Tirupati Birdsong complexity, cultural dialects and PAM of birds |
Postdoc. Assoc., Cornell University Population ecology, avian ecology, conservation biology 
Varsha Raj Workshop coordinator THE Millipede |
Viral Joshi Senior Proj. Assoc. IISER Tirupati |
Sajeev Rajan Ph.D. Postdoc. Fellow, IISER Tirupati |
Volunteers
Adhith MK |
Adwaitha G |
Helly Vyas |
Kunal Jagetiya |
Sethulakshmi Nair |
Symposium Speakers
Coming soon.....
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Funding partner:
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Resource and software support:
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Header image: Primer to Conservation Bioacoustics 2024
Footer illustrations : WonderYonder
Webpage edits: CA
Footer illustrations : WonderYonder
Webpage edits: CA
