Anthropocene and sustainability

We live in the Anthropocene where humans are changing Earth’s natural systems and biodiversity. We are facing a planetary emergency.

Our expertise in taxonomy, systematics and mineralogy drives our research in securing the future of our food, health and natural materials.

Our projects

Mapping the distribution of wild species of food plants and the insects associated with them to help plant breeders prepare crops for the future.

Understanding soil biodiversity and dynamics.

Relieving the suffering of some of the 1.4 billion people infected with a neglected tropical disease.

Understanding and controlling this neglected tropical disease.

Working to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials for future generations.

Creating a cleaner, greener future at the Royal Society Summer Science exhibition 2021.

Finding a large volume of unseen submerged plastic flowing into the marine environment.

Working to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials for future generations in a major new European Commission-funded project.

Demonstrating the feasibility of producing battery-quality lithium compounds from lithium found in UK rocks and geothermal waters.