Phylogenetic workshops are presented under the auspices of the CTHB and focus on the theoretical and applied aspects of the majority of methods used to infer phylogenetic relationships amongst organisms. These workshops were initiated in 2004 after a realization that most researchers have limited experience in the practical application of evolutionary models and tree building algorithms, as well as the execution of computer software used for the analyses. A major objective for the workshops has been to provide "hands on" experience in the use of databases available on the world-wide-web and the different software, both commercial and freeware, currently available for evolutionary biologists. The workshops are now separated into an Introductory Phylogenetic Workshop, managed by Dr Jane Wright and an Advanced Phylogenetic Workshop, managed by Dr Martin Coetzee, and are presented biannually.