Research at the Museum
Generating new knowledge
More than 300 scientists work at the Museum. Our primary aim is to explore natural diversity and promote responsible interactions with the natural world.
In order to meet our aims, research is framed around 6 major challenges:
- What determines biological diversity in a changing world.
- How large-scale physical and biological processes and their interactions influence the evolution of the Earth and other planets.
- To explore the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
- How interactions between hosts and their parasites impact on disease epidemiology and control.
- How diversity of phenotypes, genes and genomes relate to the environment and evolution.
- Assembling the tree of life.
Sharing our expertise
The Museum is active in making our information resources and expertise more accessible to meet the needs of experts and the general public. The Museum shares its information through:
- Research projects
- Research publications
- Species checklists, bibliographies and biodiversity inventories
- Artworks and specimen images.
Research projects
We provide specialist information in many ways, one of which is through our web databases and catalogues, which can be found via our online research projects.
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Biodiversity research
The UK Biodiversity Programme at the Natural History Museum is helping to conserve our native wildlife with innovative research projects and through partnerships of Museum scientists and conservationists.
Research seminars
Specialist seminars are held in the Museum's Flett Theatre. These seminars are primarily of interest to researchers in the Museum and at associated institutions and museums, but all are welcome to attend. This seminar series provides expert views on current science, a forum for discussion and an opportunity to develop scientific networking and collaboration.