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.

We're recruiting!

Eight fully funded LCAB PhD studentships are available for September/October 2024.

Find out more and apply

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

Extinction and de-extinction

Considering the extinction events of the past, how these link with the proposed “sixth mass extinction” of the present and the development of de-extinction.

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

PhD students Molly Brown and Megan Tarrant discuss participating in the Interdisciplinary Conservation Network

The Interdisciplinary Conservation Network (ICN) aims to provide opportunities for Early Career Researchers to develop transferable skills and leadership; come together to think through cross-cutting and topical issues; and develop collaborative research with other ECRs from around the world.

Posted on 3 November 2023

Seasonality and Human Agency in the Anthropocene

PhD student Andrew Gibson discusses a recent LCAB research forum led by Dr Felicia Liu, a lecturer in sustainability in the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York.

Posted on 25 October 2023

Does it make sense to view much of contemporary biodiversity change in terms of adaptive ecological responses to changing environments?

Postdoctoral research associate, Tadhg Carroll discusses the utility and possible implications of viewing recent biodiversity change, as adaptation to shifting environments.

Posted on 13 October 2023

Vegemite Anthropocene: Conferencing transformations and law in Australia - Christopher Lyon

In July, LCAB’s Katie Noble and I climbed into some metal and carbon fibre tubes and travelled through the sky and the future to The Land Down Under. Apparently, the hippie trail is rewilded, and gassy, fried-out Kombis are harder to come by, so aeroplanes it was.

Posted on 3 October 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