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Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity

World-leading interdisciplinary research into the complexities of biodiversity change in the Anthropocene, funded by the Leverhulme Trust

The Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity examines how the relationship between humanity and the natural world is changing, and how we might develop and maintain a sustainable Earth.

Human activities have caused the world’s physical and biological processes to change so significantly that we increasingly think of Earth as having entered a new era – the ‘Anthropocene’.

This disruption has resulted in the extinction of many species, but the Anthropocene is also a time of biological gains; it may eventually be considered one of the greatest boosts to biological diversity in history. We aim to understand the causes and consequences of biodiversity gains and losses, and inform and influence how society responds.

Research programmes

Understanding how human impacts and biological processes underpin the gains and losses of biodiversity and ecosystems.
Identifying the causes and consequences of varied human attitudes to the growth and loss of biodiversity.
Establishing the gains and harms people experience from biodiversity altered by humans and novel ecosystems.
Integrating knowledge to foster further gains, without compromising human wellbeing or risking ‘past’ biodiversity.

Latest news

News

25 February 2026

Sarah Bezan and Peter Sands edit a special issue that examines de-extinction through the combined lenses of art and science.

News

24 February 2026

Jacob Griffiths introduces the concepts of Cabin Ecology and Spaceship Earth which are integral to his PhD research.

News

18 February 2026

One of the most widespread community initiatives seeking to improve biodiversity in the UK is churchyard improvement schemes. Jess Botha considers why they are important and what we can learn from them.

News

16 February 2026

Brennen Fagan considers the last straw in ecological modelling.

People

Our Centre represents an interdisciplinary collaboration between multiple departments at the University of York, the University of Sherbrooke, University College London and the University of St Andrews.

Our expertise is wide-ranging and our researchers consider the changing relationship between humanity and the natural world, and how we might maintain and develop a sustainable Earth.

Meet our team 

Contact us 

Professor Lindsey Gillson - Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity

Cross-cutting themes

Societal responses to the 'otherness' of species that are perceived to be foreign.
Generation of, attitudes towards and uses of hybrids in different cultures and times.
Perceived and actual benefits and harms caused to, and obtained from, ecosystems.
Exploring the social and biodiversity drivers and consequences of 'rewilding' and habitat 'restoration' strategies
Considering the extinction events of the past, how these link with the proposed “sixth mass extinction” of the present and the development of de-extinction.

Change is a defining feature of the Anthropocene, requiring agile and creative adaptations. LCAB research helps to leverage human ingenuity to create, conserve, restore and adapt social-ecological systems that safeguard biodiversity, while meeting the needs of people in ways that are fair and just.

Professor Lindsey Gillson, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity