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Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity
World-leading interdisciplinary research into the complexities of biodiversity change in the Anthropocene, funded by the Leverhulme Trust
Human activities have caused the world’s physical and biological processes to change so significantly that we increasingly think of Earth as having entered a new era – the ‘Anthropocene’.
This disruption has resulted in the extinction of many species, but the Anthropocene is also a time of biological gains; it may eventually be considered one of the greatest boosts to biological diversity in history. We aim to understand the causes and consequences of biodiversity gains and losses, and inform and influence how society responds.
Research programmes
Latest news
Jamie Carr highlights the growing call for rights-based, locally led conservation – andhow an international horizon scan will help reveal what it takes to make this vision areality.
Eilidh Thompson introduces her research into the decline of fish numbers in Ullswater.
PhD student Andrew Hill reflects on the Theoretical Archaeology Group annual meeting.
In January 2026, LCAB celebrated the successful completion of a year-long research visit by Dr Guoen Wei from Nanchang University.
People
Our Centre represents an interdisciplinary collaboration between multiple departments at the University of York, the University of Sherbrooke, University College London and the University of St Andrews.
Our expertise is wide-ranging and our researchers consider the changing relationship between humanity and the natural world, and how we might maintain and develop a sustainable Earth.
Professor Lindsey Gillson - Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity
Cross-cutting themes
Change is a defining feature of the Anthropocene, requiring agile and creative adaptations. LCAB research helps to leverage human ingenuity to create, conserve, restore and adapt social-ecological systems that safeguard biodiversity, while meeting the needs of people in ways that are fair and just.
Professor Lindsey Gillson, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity
