Research in Zoology
Our research is broadly based and organised around 8 main groups that form a network linked by the common threads of evolution and function. This structure has recently spawned new research areas in conservation biology and molecular phylogenetics. The number of current research staff is over 100 including 36 research fellows on competitive national and international awards. Each research group receives direct support towards running costs, for equipment on the basis of competitive bids, and technical support to promote its research. Endowment funds within the Department give further research support, scholarships for undergraduates to work in laboratories during the summer and occasional research studentships. Central Departmental services provide computing, electronics, machine-shop, purchasing and administrative support.
The group structure is flexible and specifically designed to enable and promote collaborative multidisciplinary research within the Department, the University, and both nationally and internationally. As a consequence in the last 5 years we have welcomed more than 150 international research visitors to the Department and have 162 collaborations with laboratories overseas. The multidisciplinary vitality and thrust is reinforced through weekly research student talks, group seminars and departmental tea talks, many with outside speakers. Interactions are also promoted by a communal tea room, a weekly happy hour and by an annual departmental research seminar day.