Research themes

Lead by Søren Faurby


One of the main research areas of the lab is macroecology, which we define broadly to cover all large-scale spatial patterns related to biodiversity – not just simple species diversity gradients. Most of the work in this area deals with vertebrates, with a particular focus on the extent to which humans have influenced fundamental patterns in nature. Work in this field interacts strongly with the other research foci of the lab. As a group we have developed software to analyse diversity patterns and produced multiple papers to investigate biodiversity patterns across both space and time, thus combining macro- ecological and evolutionary analyses.

Lead by Daniele Silvestro


This theme concerns the understanding of evolutionary patterns in deep time. As part of this work, we develop and generates ideas, tools, and techniques for determining the causes of extinctions and diversification events using phylogenetic data and the fossil record.

Lead by Christine Bacon


Sequencing techniques are constantly evolving, and it is important for modern biodiversity labs to make use of these methods to best assess the plethora of life around us. This theme promotes the use of the most recent sequencing techniques in biodiversity research. We achieve this through running workshops, initiating new biodiversity-oriented projects and inviting speakers most au fait with these methods to present to the group. This theme has a particular focus on neotropical plants.

Lead by Dom Bennett


Our lab group generates lots of scientific software in the form of R and python packages as well as websites and apps. Additionally, much of our research effort requires computational skills for the development of complex, programmatic workflows that must meet growing calls -- made across the sciences -- for openness and reproducibility. The aim of the software development theme is to promote better programming skills within the group and keep our members up-to-date with the latest methods, programs and languages. To these ends, we run regular software clubs and invite speakers to give seminars and workshops.