Research themes TEST PAGE 2

Our research themes provide a focus for our work so we can find solutions to some of the biggest global challenges.

The thematic approach to framing our science is driven by a desire to focus research around providing solutions from and for nature. At the core of this approach is the scaling up and acceleration of how we use, develop and interpret collections, and how our infrastructure and data enable this. The themes are cross-cutting and allow us to leverage existing and build new national and international partnerships to push forward world-class, world-leading science about the natural world.

From tackling climate change and meeting the mineral needs of a net zero world to restoring biodiversity and achieving food security, our thematic approach to our research and collections offers insight into how we create a brighter future for both people and the planet.

Investigating the complex interactions between health and biodiversity to promote holistic approaches to disease prevention and health improvement.

Accelerating the use of big data to understand how biodiversity is changing to inform conservation policy and practice.

Investigating how societies understand and engage with the natural world, using collections to explore ideas, cultures, histories and impacts.

Transforming scientific research through collaboration with diverse communities to enhance the scale, societal relevance and impact of our work.

Scaling up the study of ecological and evolutionary patterns across the tree of life with diverse data from the field, collections and labs.

Explore and advance the understanding of genomic processes that drive species evolution and biodiversity by harnessing the vast potential of collections.

Furthering the science-led recovery of the UK’s nature by generating data, tools and agency to take nature-positive action.