Research themes

Our research themes provide a focus for our work so we can find solutions to some of the biggest global challenges. 

The thematic approach to framing our science is driven by a desire to focus research around providing solutions from and for nature. At the core of this approach is the scaling up and acceleration of how we use, develop and interpret collections, and how our infrastructure and data enable this. The themes are cross-cutting and allow us to leverage existing and build new national and international partnerships to push forward world-class, world-leading science about the natural world.

From tackling climate change and meeting the mineral needs of a net zero world to restoring biodiversity and achieving food security, our thematic approach to our research and collections offers insight into how we create a brighter future for both people and the planet. 

Accelerating the use of big data to understand how and why biodiversity is changing, linking to conservation policy and practice.

Human-induced biodiversity loss and climate change threaten the well-being of current and future generations. We need to improve our understanding of how and why biodiversity is changing so that we can find solutions to help its recovery. 

Using information from our collections, we can learn more about past and ongoing biodiversity change to help predict and mitigate future change. This knowledge allows us to support nature's recovery and work with others to build a better future where both people and the planet can thrive.

Biodiversity and health

Investigating the complex interactions between health and biodiversity from a One Health perspective.

Human-induced environmental change is altering our relationships with nature. This increases our exposure to parasites, pollutants and pathogens, some of which are novel, like COVID-19. Our collections provide unique insights into how and why these relationships are changing and the implications for human and animal health. By unlocking our specimens and continuing to build tissue collections, our research could improve the health of millions of people.

Collections and culture

Exploring how human societies understand and engage with the natural world, using collections to explore ideas, cultures, histories and impacts.

Tackling our environmental crises requires understanding and engaging with human culture just as much as the natural world. We bring interdisciplinary perspectives to our world-leading collections and in addressing the planetary emergency.

Our collections are products of nature and culture and represent the human labour of finding, collecting, categorising and curating the natural world. They are a valuable record of the intricate relationships between people, the Earth they inhabit, and other animals and plants.

This theme takes forward the task of acknowledging that the Museum and the science it represents have been shaped by the forces of history, including the history of empire. A wide range of people and cultures were impacted by and involved in generating the collections, past and present, and not all those stories are known or yet told.

Transforming the potential of individuals and communities to collaborate in research, building knowledge and agency to take environmental action.

Answering questions about climate change and the diversity of life requires a lot of data that our researchers can’t gather alone. We work to enhance scientific research through collaboration with diverse public audiences to act on environmental issues.

By recording observations of wildlife, collecting samples, recording audio in local areas or transcribing handwritten records, citizen scientists can help us unlock the potential of our collections and gather vital data to better understand the natural world.

Evolution of life

Scaling up the study of ecological and evolutionary patterns across the tree of life with diverse data from the field, collections and labs.

Determining the causes and consequences of evolutionary and environmental change is central to understanding life on Earth. Natural history specimens are vital for addressing this because they record how and why organisms and environments have changed over time.

Genomics

Exploring and advancing our understanding of the genomic processes driving species evolution and biodiversity by harnessing the vast potential of collections.

The advancement of DNA sequencing technology has given scientists an entirely new way to monitor nature and understand biodiversity.

As well as whole genome sequencing from newly collected specimens, we can use tiny samples of DNA from the environment to monitor wildlife. This technology allows researchers to build a more detailed image of which species live in a region than by identifying them on sight.

Ancient DNA technology has also made rapid advances over the past decade. These techniques, typically used for studying woolly mammoths and ancient humans, can now be applied to the wide range of specimens that have been in our collections for hundreds of years.

Furthering these pioneering techniques and sequencing our collections will transform the study of natural history, enable us to provide genomic access at an unprecedented scale and act as a reference library for life in a genomic world.

Planetary origins and evolution

Exploring the origins and systems underpinning the evolution of the Earth, its Moon, and planetary systems.

Our collection of over 80 million objects underpins our research, allowing us to tell the story of how the Earth and the Solar System formed over the past 4.56 billion years. From studying water on Mars and analysing near-Earth asteroids to predicting volcanic eruptions on Earth, our investigation of natural history specimens will reveal the past and present of the Solar System and, ultimately, what will secure our future.

Resourcing the green economy

Accelerating the integration of earth and life sciences to responsibly secure natural resources for nature-positive sustainable societies.

We are exploring new approaches to harnessing the planet's natural resources and developing nature-positive solutions for a net zero society.

Mines deliver essential metals needed for the energy transition to renewable sources that will help humanity halt and reverse climate change. However, mining can damage both ecosystems and communities. We are working with the Department for Farming and Rural Affairs on projects that work with local communities to create biodiversity-positive mining.

We are also mapping the distribution of wild species of food plants and the insects that pollinate them to help plant breeders prepare crops for the future. Using DNA sequencing technologies to examine soil biodiversity, scientists can understand how microbes interact with soil minerals to make nutrients available for crop plants.

UK nature recovery

Furthering the science-led recovery of the UK’s biodiversity by generating data, tools and agency to take nature-positive action.

The UK’s biodiversity is amongst the most thoroughly documented in the world. Over 70,000 species have been recorded, with more discovered each year.

Key biodiversity metrics indicate that UK nature is in crisis and habitats are severely degraded. UK Overseas Territories support diverse flora and fauna of global importance, yet this nature is also under extreme pressure.

To reverse this trend of biodiversity decline, we need to act now, and we need to act together. By developing nature-led solutions and building our collective skills and agency to take action, we can secure a more positive future for the UK’s nature and people.