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.

An evolutionary roll of the dice explains why we’re not perfect

Scientists have found that chance events can be more important than natural selection in defining the genome of species like humans and other mammals.

We are mutating SARS-CoV-2, but it is evolving back

Artistic representation of a Coronavirus particle and RNA strand

Scientists at the Milner Centre for Evolution looked at the evolution of the virus that causes Covid19; their findings could help the design of a new vaccine.

Bread mould avoids infection by mutating its own DNA

Scientists discover that a common fungus goes against the evolutionary rule that states natural selection should limit genetic mutations.

Scientists discover why some birds live fast and die young

Two albatross parents tend to their chick

An international study, co-authored by a researcher from the Milner Centre for Evolution, has revealed why some bird species take longer to develop than others.

When did we become fully human? What fossils and DNA tell us about evolution of modern intelligence

Dr Nick Longrich from Dept of Biology and Biochemistry writes in The Conversation.

Genetic Shambles: Episode 1

WATCH: Catch up on episode 1 of the Genetics Shambles, sponsored by the Milner Centre for Evolution and The Genetics Society.

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.

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.