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 ancient relative of Velociraptor is unearthed in Great Britain

A new bird-like dinosaur has been found by paleontologists combing through fossils found on the Isle of Wight.

DNA tangles can help predict evolution of mutations

Illustration of DNA helix with tangled rope in the middle

Researchers from the Milner Centre for Evolution have identified evolutionary hotspots in DNA where mutations are more likely.

Climate change and human pressure mean migration may be “no longer worth it”, say researchers

Researchers have found that the benefits of migration have been eroded by the effects of climate change and human pressure.

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.

Omicron: why the WHO designated it a variant of concern

Ed Feil, Professor of Microbial Evolution at The Milner Centre for Evolution, writes for The Conversation on the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Would we still see ourselves as ‘human’ if other hominin species hadn’t gone extinct?

Dr Nick Longrich, Senior Lecturer in Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology reflects on some of the big questions about human evolution.

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.