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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

The Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity examines how the relationship between humanity and the natural world is changing, and how we might develop and maintain a sustainable Earth.

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 geological epoch – 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

Biodiversification

Understanding how human impacts and biological processes underpin the gains and losses of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Philias and phobias

Identifying the causes and consequences of varied human attitudes to the growth and loss of biodiversity.

Utility

Establishing the gains and harms people experience from biodiversity altered by humans and novel ecosystems.

Moulding the future

Integrating knowledge to foster further gains, without compromising human wellbeing or risking ‘past’ biodiversity.

Cross-cutting themes

We live in an age where human influence on our planet is profound and far reaching. This Centre will bring together world-leading researchers to improve our understanding of the relationship between humanity and the world's biodiversity. We'll explore how we can live sustainably in a time of great change.

Professor Chris Thomas, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity

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People

Our team draws together researchers from many different disciplines at four universities across the world.

Our expertise is wide-ranging and continuously evolves as new team members join us. We are currently recruiting roles that will bring this exciting Centre to life.

Meet our team

See our current vacancies

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Surveying Mountain Ringlet butterflies at 3000 feet in Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, Scotland. Credit: Marcus Rhodes