Three core aims sit at the heart of our research within the Milner Centre for Evolution.
Asking the big evolutionary questions
Applying evolutionary thinking to global problems
Evolution education and public outreach
The Milner Centre for Evolution brings together expertise in evolution research in a state-of-the-art facility on the south side of campus. Named after Dr Jonathan Milner, whose donation allowed its establishment in 2018, the Centre focusses on three core objectives.
Evolutionary biology underpins the whole of the life sciences. Through the Centre, we aim to understand how and why species change over time. By better understanding evolution, we can make more informed decisions and use research to guide policy, for example, optimising our use of antibiotics or improving nutritional advice.
Evolutionary biology also tells the story of our origin and offers a window into humanity's future. We're working directly with schools to improve evolution teaching and actively engage the public through public lectures and engagement activities.
We aim to answer fundamental questions about evolution through our innovative and high-quality research. The quality of our research is reflected by publications in top international journals.
Scientists have found that factors including mating systems and brood size could predict the ratio of males to females for animals bred in captivity.
Why do cats generally live longer than dogs? New research shows cats’ longer lifespans could be linked to their bigger brains and more complex immune systems.
Why do women go through the menopause, and are there evolutionary benefits? Prof Turi King explores the evidence.
Four-year collaborative project seeks to understand key process linked to evolution.
DNA analysis refutes the theory that Kaspar Hauser was a ‘lost prince’ of the House of Baden
The Last Common Universal Ancestor (LUCA), from which life evolved into bacteria, plants and animals, was older and more complex than previously thought.
We aim to recruit leading biologists as well as train and mentor postgraduates, post-doctorates and undergraduates to go on and become researchers, teachers, and innovators.
Find a member of staff or PhD student.
Apply to join the Milner Centre for Evolution as a member of staff or PhD student.
Find out how we're educating the public and inspiring students of all ages with our outreach activities.
The Milner Centre for Evolution has produced free lesson plans and resources based on unique research into the most effective ways to teach evolution.
Learn key concepts in biological evolution and find out how to integrate them into the classroom with our free online learning module.
The Milner Centre has three core objectives: to ask the big evolutionary questions, to find new technological and clinical research applications, and to take evolutionary research into the community.
We are based in a multi-million-pound centre on campus which opened in September 2018.
Ask us about our activities and keep up-to-date through social media.