Our science

A woman in an orange jacket bends over a small lake in a barren landscape to collect a sample

Museum scientist Anne Jungblut samples biofilms on the McMurdo ice shelf in Antarctica

Our scientists

More than 300 scientists work in Earth and life sciences, our core research labs and library and archives.

Our work

An acclaimed research institution, we publish over 700 scientific papers a year with international collaborators.

The collections

Where 80 million objects span 4.5 billion years, from the formation of the solar system to the present day.

A new science and digitisation centre

We’re moving some of the collections to a new science and digitisation centre.

Biodiversity

Developing new molecular and digital tools for discovering biodiversity.

Anthropocene and sustainability

Securing the future of our food, health and natural materials.

Discovery, origins and evolution

Researching life on Earth and environmental change.

Collections

Explore the 80 million specimens that are a globally important resource for scientific reference and research.

Science departments and staff

Find the scientific staff at the heart of our world-class research and collections.

Library and Archives

The world's finest collection of natural history literature, artwork, photography and manuscripts.

Core research labs and consulting

Specialist staff prepare, analyse and interpret samples in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Courses and students

Students at the Museum access the collections, research, engage the public and gain skills.

The life of a Museum scientist

What do our curators and researchers get up to? Find out in our blog. 

Data at the Museum

Our data helps us tackle scientific challenges. 

Digital collections

We are digitising large parts of the collections and giving online access to the data.

Science, society and skills

We are inspiring a new generation of professional and amateur scientists through training, art and community science. 

Science events

Big ideas in science.