Oxford Biology
@biology.ox.ac.uk
Exploring the breadth and diversity of life on Earth 🌍 Updates on research & teaching at @ox.ac.uk. Merged from Departments of Plant Sciences and Zoology August 2022
www.biology.ox.ac.uk
www.biology.ox.ac.uk
Pinned
Want to do a PhD in biology? Our projects for 2026 are now live! If you're considering a PhD, or know someone who is, we have projects that span the biosciences to serve as inspiration.
Reach out to our academics to discuss these or more options if you have an idea of your own 👇
bit.ly/dphilbio25
Reach out to our academics to discuss these or more options if you have an idea of your own 👇
bit.ly/dphilbio25
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Welcome to this week's EGI seminar in @biology.ox.ac.uk when Prof Craig White @craig-white.bsky.social from @monashbiol.bsky.social will talk on The Evolution of Metabolic Rate and Life History: 3.30pm Fri 14 Nov in Lecture Theatre 2 in the Life & Mind Building. Also live-streamed: instructions ⬇️
November 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Welcome to this week's EGI seminar in @biology.ox.ac.uk when Prof Craig White @craig-white.bsky.social from @monashbiol.bsky.social will talk on The Evolution of Metabolic Rate and Life History: 3.30pm Fri 14 Nov in Lecture Theatre 2 in the Life & Mind Building. Also live-streamed: instructions ⬇️
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Our new study shows that island populations of grey long-eared #bats have distinct DNA haplotypes compared to mainland populations, reflecting long-term isolation & independent evolutionary trajectories: link.springer.com/article/10.1... @iccs.bsky.social @jesusoxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Our new study shows that island populations of grey long-eared #bats have distinct DNA haplotypes compared to mainland populations, reflecting long-term isolation & independent evolutionary trajectories: link.springer.com/article/10.1... @iccs.bsky.social @jesusoxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk
Reposted by Oxford Biology
COP30 kicks off in Belém! 🌎
From pledges to practice: why COP30 could mark a turning point towards justice, reciprocity and regeneration
Our team is on the ground working to connect research with policy and practice
Our hopes for COP30➡️ www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/belem-c...
From pledges to practice: why COP30 could mark a turning point towards justice, reciprocity and regeneration
Our team is on the ground working to connect research with policy and practice
Our hopes for COP30➡️ www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/belem-c...
November 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
COP30 kicks off in Belém! 🌎
From pledges to practice: why COP30 could mark a turning point towards justice, reciprocity and regeneration
Our team is on the ground working to connect research with policy and practice
Our hopes for COP30➡️ www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/belem-c...
From pledges to practice: why COP30 could mark a turning point towards justice, reciprocity and regeneration
Our team is on the ground working to connect research with policy and practice
Our hopes for COP30➡️ www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/belem-c...
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Will you be in Belém for #COP30? Connect with us there! 🌎
Side event with @erikaberenguer.bsky.social , @greenpeace.org, @wwf.org.uk, @sosmataatlantica.bsky.social
➡️ seors.unfccc.int/reports/even...
@smithschool.ox.ac.uk Event
➡️ www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/event/cop30-...
@cop30brazil.bsky.social
Side event with @erikaberenguer.bsky.social , @greenpeace.org, @wwf.org.uk, @sosmataatlantica.bsky.social
➡️ seors.unfccc.int/reports/even...
@smithschool.ox.ac.uk Event
➡️ www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/event/cop30-...
@cop30brazil.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Will you be in Belém for #COP30? Connect with us there! 🌎
Side event with @erikaberenguer.bsky.social , @greenpeace.org, @wwf.org.uk, @sosmataatlantica.bsky.social
➡️ seors.unfccc.int/reports/even...
@smithschool.ox.ac.uk Event
➡️ www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/event/cop30-...
@cop30brazil.bsky.social
Side event with @erikaberenguer.bsky.social , @greenpeace.org, @wwf.org.uk, @sosmataatlantica.bsky.social
➡️ seors.unfccc.int/reports/even...
@smithschool.ox.ac.uk Event
➡️ www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/event/cop30-...
@cop30brazil.bsky.social
Reposted by Oxford Biology
📢 Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was just launched at #COP30Belém 🌎 What does this new investment mechanism mean for forest protection worldwide? And could it mark a paradigm shift in #climatefinance?
Read our #TFFF updates ➡️
www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/tropica...
Read our #TFFF updates ➡️
www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/tropica...
November 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
📢 Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was just launched at #COP30Belém 🌎 What does this new investment mechanism mean for forest protection worldwide? And could it mark a paradigm shift in #climatefinance?
Read our #TFFF updates ➡️
www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/tropica...
Read our #TFFF updates ➡️
www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/tropica...
Reptiles confined to islands are facing a double jeopardy 🦎
New research from @ricardonature.bsky.social shows that 30% of island reptiles are threatened with extinction (compared to 12.1% of reptiles overall) - but only 6.7% of reptile-focused research since 1960 has studied them 👇
bit.ly/3LqQo1F
New research from @ricardonature.bsky.social shows that 30% of island reptiles are threatened with extinction (compared to 12.1% of reptiles overall) - but only 6.7% of reptile-focused research since 1960 has studied them 👇
bit.ly/3LqQo1F
Island reptiles face extinction before they are even studied
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Reptiles confined to islands are facing a double jeopardy 🦎
New research from @ricardonature.bsky.social shows that 30% of island reptiles are threatened with extinction (compared to 12.1% of reptiles overall) - but only 6.7% of reptile-focused research since 1960 has studied them 👇
bit.ly/3LqQo1F
New research from @ricardonature.bsky.social shows that 30% of island reptiles are threatened with extinction (compared to 12.1% of reptiles overall) - but only 6.7% of reptile-focused research since 1960 has studied them 👇
bit.ly/3LqQo1F
Reposted by Oxford Biology
View from my office window in the new @biology.ox.ac.uk building. I didn’t *ask* to be put somewhere with a Rook colony right outside the window but it worked out pretty well 🤓
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
View from my office window in the new @biology.ox.ac.uk building. I didn’t *ask* to be put somewhere with a Rook colony right outside the window but it worked out pretty well 🤓
Reposted by Oxford Biology
From Rio92 to Head of the University of Oxford delegation to #COP30 in Belém. Dr Aline Soterroni, in the photo with the Ambassador of Brazil to the UK, Antonio Patriota, will be Deputy Head. For the 1st time, the delegation has 2 Brazilians leading it. If you wanna talk to our researchers, DM me.
November 3, 2025 at 12:25 PM
From Rio92 to Head of the University of Oxford delegation to #COP30 in Belém. Dr Aline Soterroni, in the photo with the Ambassador of Brazil to the UK, Antonio Patriota, will be Deputy Head. For the 1st time, the delegation has 2 Brazilians leading it. If you wanna talk to our researchers, DM me.
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Come and join our group in the new Life and Mind Building (lifeandmind.web.ox.ac.uk/home). POSTDOC: Bioinformatics/(meta)genomics :
tinyurl.com/2uhvvpn6
@ineosoxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @ox.ac.uk
tinyurl.com/2uhvvpn6
@ineosoxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @ox.ac.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Come and join our group in the new Life and Mind Building (lifeandmind.web.ox.ac.uk/home). POSTDOC: Bioinformatics/(meta)genomics :
tinyurl.com/2uhvvpn6
@ineosoxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @ox.ac.uk
tinyurl.com/2uhvvpn6
@ineosoxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @ox.ac.uk
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Our very own @biolliegist.bsky.social and @erolafenollosa.bsky.social will be will be part of this event next week. It’s always timely and important to discuss gender biases in quantitative ecology 🌈📊 @biology.ox.ac.uk #GenderBiasInScience #QuantitativeEcology
Next tuesday I’ll be contributing to the Gender and Quantitative Ecology Panel Discussion! hosted by @bes-quantitative.bsky.social @britishecologicalsociety.org with the beautiful minds: @vinitagowda.bsky.social @nhcooper123.bsky.social @trishg.bsky.social @biolliegist.bsky.social 💚💜🌈
Quantifying Ecology - British Ecological Society
The Quantitative Ecology SIG are teaming up with a cohort of BES groups to put on a series of free webinars exploring all facets of quantitative ecology.
www.britishecologicalsociety.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Our very own @biolliegist.bsky.social and @erolafenollosa.bsky.social will be will be part of this event next week. It’s always timely and important to discuss gender biases in quantitative ecology 🌈📊 @biology.ox.ac.uk #GenderBiasInScience #QuantitativeEcology
We have three senior and one early-career research fellowships open! It's an exciting time to join us as we've just moved into the new Life and Mind Building
Fellowships in fungal disease, mycology, conservation science + nature finance, & plant sciences in thread 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_amV...
Fellowships in fungal disease, mycology, conservation science + nature finance, & plant sciences in thread 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_amV...
Oxford's new Life and Mind Building
YouTube video by University of Oxford
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:20 AM
We have three senior and one early-career research fellowships open! It's an exciting time to join us as we've just moved into the new Life and Mind Building
Fellowships in fungal disease, mycology, conservation science + nature finance, & plant sciences in thread 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_amV...
Fellowships in fungal disease, mycology, conservation science + nature finance, & plant sciences in thread 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_amV...
Reposted by Oxford Biology
PhD available @biology.ox.ac.uk applying historical genomics to fish populations under pressure www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Floodplain dispersal and genetic resilience of fish populations to multiple stressors at University of Oxford on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Floodplain dispersal and genetic resilience of fish populations to multiple stressors at University of Oxford, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:50 AM
PhD available @biology.ox.ac.uk applying historical genomics to fish populations under pressure www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
On Tuesday a special pre-COP30 event was held in Oxford, co-hosted by Aline Soterroni from Biology and @erikaberenguer.bsky.social from @ecioxford.bsky.social
Brazil’s Ambassador to the UK, Antonio Patriota, opened the event, Forests and the Future: Brazil’s Path to Climate Solutions
bit.ly/3JbgqW5
Brazil’s Ambassador to the UK, Antonio Patriota, opened the event, Forests and the Future: Brazil’s Path to Climate Solutions
bit.ly/3JbgqW5
Pre-COP dialogue cements Oxford and Brazil partnership in forest conservation and climate finance innovation
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 9:37 AM
On Tuesday a special pre-COP30 event was held in Oxford, co-hosted by Aline Soterroni from Biology and @erikaberenguer.bsky.social from @ecioxford.bsky.social
Brazil’s Ambassador to the UK, Antonio Patriota, opened the event, Forests and the Future: Brazil’s Path to Climate Solutions
bit.ly/3JbgqW5
Brazil’s Ambassador to the UK, Antonio Patriota, opened the event, Forests and the Future: Brazil’s Path to Climate Solutions
bit.ly/3JbgqW5
Reposted by Oxford Biology
We were delighted to host Brazil’s Ambassador to the UK in Oxford ahead of #COP30 for an event highlighting Brazil's new Tropical Forest Finance Facility (TFFF)
Hosted by ECI's Dr Erika Berenguer @erikaberenguer.bsky.social & Dr Aline Soterroni @biology.ox.ac.uk
➡️ www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/pre-cop...
Hosted by ECI's Dr Erika Berenguer @erikaberenguer.bsky.social & Dr Aline Soterroni @biology.ox.ac.uk
➡️ www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/pre-cop...
October 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
We were delighted to host Brazil’s Ambassador to the UK in Oxford ahead of #COP30 for an event highlighting Brazil's new Tropical Forest Finance Facility (TFFF)
Hosted by ECI's Dr Erika Berenguer @erikaberenguer.bsky.social & Dr Aline Soterroni @biology.ox.ac.uk
➡️ www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/pre-cop...
Hosted by ECI's Dr Erika Berenguer @erikaberenguer.bsky.social & Dr Aline Soterroni @biology.ox.ac.uk
➡️ www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/pre-cop...
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Coming up soon (9 am today) an opportunity to hear this classic episode of In Our Time on Bird Migration featuring Tim Guilford of @biology.ox.ac.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Bird Migration
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how birds navigate and the risks and benefits of migration
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Coming up soon (9 am today) an opportunity to hear this classic episode of In Our Time on Bird Migration featuring Tim Guilford of @biology.ox.ac.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Online today!
De Novo Genome Sequence Assembly of the RNAi-Tractable Paramecium bursaria 186b: An Endosymbiotic Model System
academic.oup.com/gbe/article/...
De Novo Genome Sequence Assembly of the RNAi-Tractable Paramecium bursaria 186b: An Endosymbiotic Model System
academic.oup.com/gbe/article/...
October 29, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Online today!
De Novo Genome Sequence Assembly of the RNAi-Tractable Paramecium bursaria 186b: An Endosymbiotic Model System
academic.oup.com/gbe/article/...
De Novo Genome Sequence Assembly of the RNAi-Tractable Paramecium bursaria 186b: An Endosymbiotic Model System
academic.oup.com/gbe/article/...
Reposted by Oxford Biology
The UK Government has vowed to ‘build, baby, build’ to deliver 1.5 million homes across the country by 2029.
Can this be achieved without worsening the biodiversity and nature crises?
Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland, Professor of Biodiversity @biology.ox.ac.uk explains ⬇️
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-10...
Can this be achieved without worsening the biodiversity and nature crises?
Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland, Professor of Biodiversity @biology.ox.ac.uk explains ⬇️
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-10...
Expert Comment: Building faster, building fairer: can we make growth
Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland, Professor of Biodiversity in Oxford University’s Department of Biology, explains why conservationists and researchers are concerned about the proposed Planning &
www.ox.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The UK Government has vowed to ‘build, baby, build’ to deliver 1.5 million homes across the country by 2029.
Can this be achieved without worsening the biodiversity and nature crises?
Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland, Professor of Biodiversity @biology.ox.ac.uk explains ⬇️
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-10...
Can this be achieved without worsening the biodiversity and nature crises?
Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland, Professor of Biodiversity @biology.ox.ac.uk explains ⬇️
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-10...
Reposted by Oxford Biology
New paper today in Proc B @royalsociety.org. We explored nest architecture in 3,685 species of birds, modelling the multivariate nature of nests, i.e. how shape, location or attachment co-occur. Then we explored how the environment affected nest architecture evolution. Spoilers in the title! 🪺🐦🌍
A wide range of abiotic and biotic variables leaves most variation in bird nest architecture unexplained | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Nests are the locations or containers for offspring, and mediate interactions between
offspring and the environment. However, understanding how environmental factors shape
the evolution of nest archit...
royalsocietypublishing.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM
New paper today in Proc B @royalsociety.org. We explored nest architecture in 3,685 species of birds, modelling the multivariate nature of nests, i.e. how shape, location or attachment co-occur. Then we explored how the environment affected nest architecture evolution. Spoilers in the title! 🪺🐦🌍
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Meet Senior Research Fellow Dr Lauren Harrington
With a background in animal ecology and behaviour, Lauren has worked for over 30 years in conservation research and now focuses on incorporating animal welfare science into conservation practice.
👉 www.wildcru.org/members/dr-l...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
With a background in animal ecology and behaviour, Lauren has worked for over 30 years in conservation research and now focuses on incorporating animal welfare science into conservation practice.
👉 www.wildcru.org/members/dr-l...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
October 27, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Meet Senior Research Fellow Dr Lauren Harrington
With a background in animal ecology and behaviour, Lauren has worked for over 30 years in conservation research and now focuses on incorporating animal welfare science into conservation practice.
👉 www.wildcru.org/members/dr-l...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
With a background in animal ecology and behaviour, Lauren has worked for over 30 years in conservation research and now focuses on incorporating animal welfare science into conservation practice.
👉 www.wildcru.org/members/dr-l...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
We’re delighted to congratulate Katrina Lythgoe (Professor of Infectious Disease) and Roberto Salguero-Gomez (Professor of Ecology) on being awarded the title of Full Professor by @ox.ac.uk.
A testament to their incredible research, teaching, and leadership.
Read more 👇
bit.ly/3WnbG2v
A testament to their incredible research, teaching, and leadership.
Read more 👇
bit.ly/3WnbG2v
Oxford awards full professorships to Katrina Lythgoe and Roberto Salguero-Gómez
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
We’re delighted to congratulate Katrina Lythgoe (Professor of Infectious Disease) and Roberto Salguero-Gomez (Professor of Ecology) on being awarded the title of Full Professor by @ox.ac.uk.
A testament to their incredible research, teaching, and leadership.
Read more 👇
bit.ly/3WnbG2v
A testament to their incredible research, teaching, and leadership.
Read more 👇
bit.ly/3WnbG2v
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Two full days teaching this week introducing ~120 1st yr undergraduate biologists to Wytham Woods, long-term population studies & @biology.ox.ac.uk. Always great teaching outside. The eagle-eyed might spot Chris Perrins in the front row (undergrad days >70 years ago!) - not much I can teach him…
October 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Two full days teaching this week introducing ~120 1st yr undergraduate biologists to Wytham Woods, long-term population studies & @biology.ox.ac.uk. Always great teaching outside. The eagle-eyed might spot Chris Perrins in the front row (undergrad days >70 years ago!) - not much I can teach him…
Congrats to @sheldonbirds.bsky.social, who's been awarded honorary membership by @britishecologicalsociety.org, the highest honour given by the society!
A recognition of exceptional contribution to the generation, communication and promotion of ecological knowledge and solutions 👇
bit.ly/474eoAb
A recognition of exceptional contribution to the generation, communication and promotion of ecological knowledge and solutions 👇
bit.ly/474eoAb
Professor Ben Sheldon awarded Honorary Membership by British Ecological Society
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Congrats to @sheldonbirds.bsky.social, who's been awarded honorary membership by @britishecologicalsociety.org, the highest honour given by the society!
A recognition of exceptional contribution to the generation, communication and promotion of ecological knowledge and solutions 👇
bit.ly/474eoAb
A recognition of exceptional contribution to the generation, communication and promotion of ecological knowledge and solutions 👇
bit.ly/474eoAb
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Lots of great Biology PhD opportunities here in Oxford, including with our group on tropical insect thermal ecology and functioning.
Want to do a PhD in biology? Our projects for 2026 are now live! If you're considering a PhD, or know someone who is, we have projects that span the biosciences to serve as inspiration.
Reach out to our academics to discuss these or more options if you have an idea of your own 👇
bit.ly/dphilbio25
Reach out to our academics to discuss these or more options if you have an idea of your own 👇
bit.ly/dphilbio25
October 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Lots of great Biology PhD opportunities here in Oxford, including with our group on tropical insect thermal ecology and functioning.
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Interested in a PhD in ornithology? Funding available for projects at the interface of ecology, behaviour & evolution from Oct '26 working on long-term population studies of tits at Wytham, based in @biology.ox.ac.uk in the new Life & Mind Building in Oxford
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
October 20, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Interested in a PhD in ornithology? Funding available for projects at the interface of ecology, behaviour & evolution from Oct '26 working on long-term population studies of tits at Wytham, based in @biology.ox.ac.uk in the new Life & Mind Building in Oxford
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Oxford Biology
Meet PhD researcher Guilherme Costa Alvarenga
Gui is combining jaguar population dynamics, habitat use and human-carnivore coexistence to develop the first landscape-scale ecological model of jaguar population connectivity across the species’ range.
wildcru.org/members/guil...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
Gui is combining jaguar population dynamics, habitat use and human-carnivore coexistence to develop the first landscape-scale ecological model of jaguar population connectivity across the species’ range.
wildcru.org/members/guil...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
October 20, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Meet PhD researcher Guilherme Costa Alvarenga
Gui is combining jaguar population dynamics, habitat use and human-carnivore coexistence to develop the first landscape-scale ecological model of jaguar population connectivity across the species’ range.
wildcru.org/members/guil...
@biology.ox.ac.uk
Gui is combining jaguar population dynamics, habitat use and human-carnivore coexistence to develop the first landscape-scale ecological model of jaguar population connectivity across the species’ range.
wildcru.org/members/guil...
@biology.ox.ac.uk