Discover the beating heart of scientific exploration at the Museum. Our research is dedicated to advancing knowledge, preserving prehistory, and driving innovation in the natural sciences. Through cutting-edge studies we strive to uncover the stories hidden within our collections and the natural world.
For researchers in the earth and life sciences, the collections at the Natural Sciences Museum are an unparalleled resource, offering deep insights into the history, diversity, and dynamics of our planet and its lifeforms. Spanning millions of years, these meticulously curated specimens provide the raw material for groundbreaking studies in geology, evolution, biodiversity and climate change.
Our collections hold the key to understanding Earth’s past and shaping its future. Fossils trace the evolutionary pathways of life, mineral and rock specimens reveal the forces that shaped our planet, and preserved organisms document biodiversity across time and space. With specimens collected from every corner of the globe, the breadth and depth of our holdings enable research that is both comprehensive and globally relevant.
Advances in technology, such as high-resolution imaging allow researchers to extract new data from even the oldest specimens. These collections serve not only as a historical archive but as dynamic tools for answering pressing questions about Earth’s systems, species extinction, and the impacts of a rapidly changing environment.
By accessing the collections at the Natural Sciences Museum, you join a global community of scientists using this invaluable resource to deepen our understanding of earth and life sciences. Together, we can unlock the secrets of the past to inform the future.
Our research explores the history of life and the Earth, uncovering new insights into species evolution, ancient ecosystems, and environmental change. We are advancing knowledge in the earth and life sciences, addressing critical questions about our planet’s past, present, and future.
At the Natural Sciences Museum, we are thrilled to announce that we are preparing to begin publishing our internal research in late 2025. This initiative will provide an exciting opportunity to share the groundbreaking work happening within our institution with the broader scientific community and the public. By publishing our research, we aim to contribute to the global understanding of natural history, palaeontology and conservation.
We believe this will not only elevate the museum's role in advancing scientific knowledge but also encourage collaboration with researchers, institutions, and enthusiasts around the world. Our commitment to sharing our findings will allow us to further engage with the public, foster scientific dialogue, and inspire the next generation of explorers, researchers, and natural history lovers. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach this exciting milestone!
At the Natural Sciences Museum, we are proud to support external scientific research that deepens our understanding of the natural world. Through funding innovative projects, we help drive discoveries that benefit both science and the public.
Dr. Luke Muscutt’s robotic plesiosaur research is exploring how ancient marine reptiles, like pliosaurs, moved through water. By creating Flip, a highly realistic robotic model, Dr. Muscutt has been able to simulate the unique flipper propulsion system of these creatures, offering new insights into their biomechanics. This groundbreaking project blends engineering with palaeontology, enhancing our understanding of prehistoric life. To learn more about this exciting research, click below.
An urgent excavation to save rare British mammoth remains that were at risk of being lost due to land redevelopment. This critical project allowed scientists to carefully excavate and preserve these invaluable fossils, providing a unique glimpse into Britain’s prehistoric past. By supporting this excavation, we ensured that these remarkable specimens could be studied and shared, offering important insights into ancient life and the world of early man.
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