We study the spectacular biodiversity of life on earth: how it came to be, how it is distributed in space and time, and how it is changing under increasing human pressure. We also seek to manage and restore ecosystems to meet the great environmental challenges of the twenty-first century, from improving food security to mitigating climate change.

Our researchers in this area

Dr Jesus Aguirre Gutierrez

Dr Jesus Aguirre Gutierrez
Proleptic Associate Professor and NERC Independent Research

Professor Cristina Banks-Leite

Professor Thomas D C Bell

Professor Martin I Bidartondo

Dr Lauren J Cator

Dr Emma L Cavan

Dr Magda Charalambous

Professor Robert M Ewers

Dr Richard J Gill

Dr Peter Graystock

Dr Josh A Hodge

Professor Armand M Leroi

Dr David Orme

Dr Sunitha Pangala

Dr Sunitha Pangala
Associate Professor

Professor Samraat Pawar

Dr Will Pearse

Professor Colin Prentice FRS

Dr Emma Ransome

Professor James L Rosindell

Professor Vincent Savolainen

Dr Julia Schroeder

Dr Sarab S Sethi

Professor Joseph A Tobias

Professor Alfried P Vogler

Dr Bonnie G Waring

Dr Jessica J Williams

Professor Guy Woodward

Postgraduate research

Interested in studying a PhD at the Department of Life Sciences? Find out more about postgraduate research opportunties.