Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York

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

Invasions

Societal responses to the 'otherness' of species that are perceived to be foreign.

Hybrids

Generation of, attitudes towards and uses of hybrids in different cultures and times.

Inequalities

Perceived and actual benefits and harms caused to, and obtained from, ecosystems.

Rewilding

Exploring the social and biodiversity drivers and consequences of 'rewilding' and habitat 'restoration' strategies

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

Latest news

Can we build an ecosystem?

Jack Hatfield discusses to what extent we can intentionally shape ecosystems and invites your thoughts on the matter.

Posted on 3 March 2023

Artist in Residence update - Laura Denning and Chantal Berry

Artist in Residence Laura Denning and PhD candidate Chantal Berry are roughly halfway through their collaboration as part of LCAB's artists residencies programme. Laura looks forward to plans for the coming months as their research and ideas begin to crystallise.

Posted on 28 February 2023

Ivory demand reduction approaches: Teething problems

PhD student Molly Brown discusses how she is interested in the effectiveness of the approaches undertaken to curb consumer demand for ivory, commonly referred to as demand reduction, and assesses the potential for actual behavioural change across the landscape of demand reduction approaches.

Posted on 17 February 2023

Exhaustion, Extinction, and Recovery

Postdoctoral Researcher Brennen Fagan reflects on loss in research, and how some researchers move forward.

Posted on 8 February 2023

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