Evolutionary research within the School of Biological Sciences focusses on understanding the fundamental principles of life and how biotic systems respond to salient environmental changes through heritable processes.
Our research provides empirical and theoretical advances on knowledge of formative processes shaping patterns at a range of scales, from gene interactions to biogeographic and macroecological gradients and distributions. We employ controlled experimentation, large scale time series and spatial approaches, advanced molecular techniques and quantitative and process based modelling to address cutting-edge questions in gene-environment interactions, social evolution and multilevel selection, population structure, adaptation, demography, and phylogenetic inference.
Applied areas of expertise relate to pest and stocks management, crop improvements, and microbial evolution in the context of nutrient cycles.
We apply our research excellence to real world problems, ensuring that strategies for applied management of species are informed by understanding of relevant or anticipated evolutionary changes.