Our biology and conservation research expertise
Learn from our expert academics who are at the forefront of their fields.
Research with impact
We’re committed to advancing our understanding of biology and conservation principles through research excellence. We often work with industry and wider society to ensure our work delivers solutions to real-world problems.
But don’t just take our word for it. We’re in the world top 100 of the Times Higher University Impact Rankings 2021 — ranking 66th in the global league table, and 15th in the UK. Our commitment to supporting quality research drives global development and ensures we deliver outstanding teaching.
What does this mean for you? As a masters student, you’ll work with our team and take part in research projects that matter. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct research in zoos, in our specialist laboratories and in a wide variety of unique field locations — in the UK and overseas.
Here’s a sample of the research projects our current postgraduate students are involved in.
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Habitat change and conservation
- The effect of habitat variation, pollutants and parasite loads on diversity and the abundance of pollinating insects.
- Comparison of bat activity and species richness across agricultural land use zones
- Responses of invertebrates and nesting wading birds to saltmarsh restoration schemes
- Impact of woodland management on predator and prey interactions
- Neotropical primate foraging ecology and habitat associations
- Monitoring otters in Northern Greece
- Habitat management for black-necked grebes
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Conservation genetics
- The effects of genetic and microbiome diversity in resilience of corals to climate change
- eDNA analysis and qPCR as tools in monitoring newt communities in upland moor habitat restoration sites
- Genetics and population studies of the endangered Bermuda skink
- Conservation genetics in ex-situ populations of endangered species
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Conservation in East Africa
- Impact of habitat change on the distribution of black rhino
- Habitat associations and diet of pancake tortoise in Tanzania
- Altitudinal distribution and replacement in the Carabid fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Invasion risk assessments of East African non-native plants
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Ex-situ conservation and behaviour
- Behaviour of captive bears and improving their welfare
- Sociality of wild dogs in captivity
- Behaviour of amphibians in captivity and the development of effective ex situ conservation collections
- Enclosure use by maned wolves
- Designing and testing tactile enrichment for carnivores
- Impact of visitors on the social behaviour of giraffe
- Seal behaviour and welfare
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Animal behaviour
- Comparison of methods used to track kinematics in domestic dogs
- Hunting behaviour of spiders
- The impact of noise pollution on the behaviour of Amazonian birds
- Exploring acoustic niche partitioning along a disturbance gradient in the Brazilian Amazon
- The impact of urbanisation on blue tits
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Other
- Fecundity and competition in speckled wood butterfly species on Madeira
- Comparative analysis of extinction risk in birds and bats in South East Asia
- Patterns of trade in endangered Indonesian cage birds
Harry Gill testimonial
During my MSc I worked closely with the species biology and conservation research group, in particular, Charlotte Brassey. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt supported throughout the process. I went on to conduct my own research project under the supervision of Dr Brassey, which we now hope to publish.
During my MSc I worked closely with the species biology and conservation research group, in particular, Charlotte Brassey. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt supported throughout the process. I went on to conduct my own research project under the supervision of Dr Brassey, which we now hope to publish.
Teaching influenced by research
Our academic staff are working to investigate, understand and solve issues at a local, national and international level. As sought-after experts, they deliver business solutions and advise on government policy. The results not only shape our world but also shape your studies, ensuring that you learn at the cutting edge of biology and conservation science.
Throughout your masters, you’ll receive one-to-one support from one of our expert tutors. They’ll help answer your questions, prepare you for your independent research project and guide you through your next steps.
I chose Manchester Met because of the faculty's impressive track record in publishing significant contributions to the fields of conservation biology and ornithology. Their remarkable research output confirmed my choice to pursue my studies here.
I chose Manchester Met because of the faculty's impressive track record in publishing significant contributions to the fields of conservation biology and ornithology. Their remarkable research output confirmed my choice to pursue my studies here.
Meet our postgraduate course leaders
Meet our postgraduate course leaders
Our academic staff have not only had years of experience in research and conservation, but share a commitment to helping you on your journey as well. Get to know some of our course leaders and discover their research expertise.
Dr Robyn Grant
I’m a sensory biologist specialising in somatosensation and programme leader for the MSc Zoo Conservation Biology course. I address fundamental questions about the form and function of vertebrate touch sensing by adopting an interdisciplinary approach. Specifically, my work focusses on facial touch sensors — whiskers in mammals and rictal bristles in birds. My research answers questions in the following areas:
- What behaviours and movements are associated with touch sensing?
- Why is the shape of the touch sensor and the anatomy of the follicle so diverse?
- How did facial touch sensing evolve?
- How does neurodegeneration effect sensing and locomotion?
Dr Selvino de Kort
I’m the programme leader for the MSc Animal Behaviour and Evolution course. As a behavioural ecologist, my research uses bioacoustics to address fundamental questions related to sexual selection and the evolution of animal signals. This is in addition to more applied questions on the anthropogenic effects on wildlife and conservation.
Most of my work is conducted in the field. For example by studying a population of blue tits breeding in nest boxes across central Manchester, or further afield such as the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania. More specifically my research topics include:
- Why do animals repeat signals so frequently?
- How does human noise affect birds?
- Conservation of the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania
- Identification of leopards by their call
Dr Scott Pedley
I’m an ecologist specialising in understanding how patterns of community assembly and physiological traits can be used to aid landscape-scale restoration and species conservation. I’ve worked with land managers and conservation practitioners to establish methods to improve biodiversity outcomes which have been incorporated into UK conservation policy.
I’m passionate about research-informed teaching and ensure that my teaching and research are interdependent. This allows students to learn state-of-the-art material and techniques at every level.
Dr Scott Pedley
Senior Lecturer in Ecology and MSc Global Conservation Biology programme leader
Dr Lesley Lace
I’m an invertebrate ecologist, mostly working with butterflies and with an interest in the impacts of habitat change and island extinctions. I teach students at all levels — from foundation, all UG degree stages and MSc — and coordinate units in conservation biology and biodiversity, and genetics. Current research projects include:
- Competition between two closely related species on the island of Madeira. The endemic speckled wood butterfly (Pararge xiphia) has seen a significant range and population decline since the colonisation in the 1970’s by Pararge aegeria.
- The impact of savanna degradation and invasive plants on butterfly communities in Tanzania
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