Milner Centre for Evolution

We are a unique, cross-faculty research centre bridging biology, health and education.

Our research

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.

Vegetarian birds more sociable than insect eaters, shows research

Weaver bird weaving a nest hanging from a branch

Research led by the Milner Centre for Evolution proves a statistical link between diet, habitat, social behaviour and mating systems for the first time.

Tropical birds are 30% more colourful than those living near the poles, says research

Toucan sitting on a branch (credit: buteo)

The long-held theory that birds closer to the equator are more colourful than birds nearer the poles has been proven by a new study.

Male birds have stronger immune system than females, research suggests

Scientists from the University's Milner Centre for Evolution studied the differences in activity of immune genes between male and female Kentish Plovers.

Studying penguin poo to understand the effects of climate change

Scientists from the Milner Centre for Evolution have just returned from a month-long expedition studying penguin colonies in the Antarctic.

Future evolution: from looks to brains and personality, how will humans change?

We will likely live longer, and become taller and more lightly built. We’ll probably be less aggressive and have smaller brains. Biology explains why.

How a handful of prehistoric geniuses launched humanity’s technological revolution

Article in The Conversation written by Dr Nick Longrich, Senior Lecturer in Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology.

Our people

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.

People in the Milner Centre for Evolution

Find a member of staff or PhD student.

Crocodile evolution through fossils

Polly is in the third year of her PhD in Evolutionary Biology. She studies fossils to understand why crocodiles are how they are today.

Join the Milner Centre for Evolution

Apply to join the Milner Centre for Evolution as a member of staff or PhD student.

Outreach activities

Find out how we're educating the public and inspiring students of all ages with our outreach activities.

Teaching evolution: Free resources for primary school teachers

The Milner Centre for Evolution has produced free lesson plans and resources based on unique research into the most effective ways to teach evolution.

Outreach Virtual Display Wall

Showcasing outreach initiatives from researchers at the Milner Centre for Evolution.

Get involved with our educational evolution activities

'Eye see you' exhibit at Bath Taps Into Science schools science fair

Learn how your school can get access to teaching resources and how to get one of our exhibits at your event or festival.

Local children meet very hungry caterpillars to learn about evolution

Children meet creepy crawlies and learn how to use microscopes at the Milner Centre for Evolution.

Understanding and teaching evolution

Learn key concepts in biological evolution and find out how to integrate them into the classroom with our free online learning module.

Opening of the Milner Centre

The centre formally opened on 21 September 2018.

Fossils, owls and stick insects at the Milner Centre for Evolution

The Milner Centre for Evolution celebrated its launch on the 21 September 2018 by inviting local school children to the labs to learn more about evolution.

We’re teaching evolution the wrong way around

Children looking through magnifying glasses

The new Milner Centre for Evolution will help support teachers teaching evolution

Videos from the Milner Centre conference

Watch videos of the sessions from our inaugural conference.

Our building

Find out more about our new building, which was opened in September 2018.

How the Milner Centre was designed

The central meeting space and coffee area in the Milner Centre for Evolution

The Milner Centre for Evolution was opened on 21 September 2018 - find out how our staff got involved in the building design

Building the Milner Centre for Evolution

We've built a major centre for evolution, named after Dr Jonathan Milner who donated £5 million towards its establishment.

About us

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.