(Dandelion pollen grain, Taraxicum officinale) The scientific study of pollen is called palynology and can be used by forensic scientists to discover clues at crime scenes.

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Background information

We are one of the leading natural history museums in the world. As well as being a world-class scientific institution, we are also one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK.

Our sites

The Museum looks after 70 million natural history specimens and 6 million rare books and manuscripts, at our site in South Kensington, our branch in Tring, the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum and our outstation at Wandsworth where parts of the collections are housed.

Our aim

We aim to share our knowledge of the natural world by engaging people's curiosities. We want people to enjoy the wonders of the natural world today and at the same time take responsiblitiy for the future of our planet.

Ten Year Vision

The Museum is entering an exciting new phase in its development. A new Ten Year Vision is in place, and the Museum's Darwin Centre development is set to radically change the perception of what museums are and can be.

Museum Staff

There are approximately 900 staff at the Museum. The two largest strategic groups are Public Engagement Group and Science Group

Public Engagement Group run a broad range of commercial and communication-led activities such as exhibitions, visitor services, web development, publishing, membership, conferences, commercial filming and image hire.

Science Group consists of six departments Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology, Zoology, and Library and Information Services. Science Group employs around 330 scientific researchers, curators and other staff.

As well as looking after the collection of 70 million specimens, our scientists carry out scientific research in a huge variety of areas including the following:

  • taxonomy
  • solar system science
  • human origins
  • oil exploration
  • ore prospecting
  • evolution
  • biodiversity
  • parasites
  • tropical forest ecology

International collaboration

Science Group collaborates internationally on research, collections and information resources, helping to improve work in conservation and sustainable development. The Science Group has one of the world's leading science libraries and is active in developing new databases and information resources.

Please visit the science department sections for more information on the work they do:

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