Department of Zoology

We are a thriving community of researchers united by a fascination with the living world. Using novel interdisciplinary approaches, our mission is to understand how life evolves, how it functions, and how we can conserve it for the future.

News

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17 Jul 2026

Bumblebees risk of exposure to toxic metals higher than honey bees

A bumblebee on a yellow flower

10 Jul 2026

Professor Malcolm Burrows FRS 28 May 1943 – 14 June 2026

Portrait of Professor Malcolm Burrows FRS

9 Jul 2026

Rare bees and butterflies get a boost: Researchers secure Species Recovery grants

Queen moss carder bee on a clover flower photo by Steven Falk

12 Jun 2026

A lack of sex held back life’s diversity for millions of years

Artist's impression of an Ediacaran community Credit: Hugo Salais

12 Jun 2026

From egg yolks to love darts: HFSP backs Zoology group's search for evolution's shared tool kit

Professor Adria LeBoeuf holding a model ant

8 Jun 2026

Where migratory birds stop may determine their future

A wetland scene in Banglesh; indian skimmer birds fly past cattle browsing on grass surrounded by pools of water.
Bumble bee on a yellow flower. Photo by Paula Connelly

Our research

We pride ourselves on the outstanding quality of our research, its impact and the cutting-edge techniques we develop and apply.

Explore our research themes and groups Our research group leaders Join us as a research fellow
Blue and yellow cichlids in a fish tank.

Study with us

Our students are energised, eager to learn and deeply committed. We take our responsibility to nurture this talent very seriously.

Undergraduate study Postgraduate study
The Department of Zoology buildings at sunset
University Museum of Zoology

Our museum houses an internationally significant collection, attracts over 150,000 visitors a year, and is an outstanding resource for research and teaching.
Wetland view with reeds in the foreground, islets and inlets further off, and a wide sky with skudding clouds.
Cambridge Conservation Initiative

We are closely allied to the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and 10 leading conservation organisations.
shelves of books in the Zoology library
Zoology library

At the heart of our oldest building, our library covers the breadth of zoological knowledge with volumes dating from the 14th century to the present day.