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Ecology, Evolution, Behaviour and Environmental Economics

Members of this research cluster are involved in a wide range of projects in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Economics.  Research includes broad areas of Ecology (Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial), Behavioural Ecology; Ecophysiology, Animal Behaviour; Molecular Ecology, Conservation (including Conservation Genetics), Aquaculture, Systematics (both Molecular and Morphological), and Environmental Economics.

This diverse range of interests is linked by common approaches including the integration of theoretical, laboratory, field and economic investigations.  Research facilities include the QUB Marine Laboratory at Portaferry, which hosts the Modiolus Restoration Research Group (MRRG).  Quercus, a major research centre for biodiversity and conservation biology in Northern Ireland, is housed on the main MBC site.  The Gibson Institute for Land Food and Environment is also housed on the MBC site.

Image of an irish hare

Queen's University will host the 11th International Mammalogical Congress on behalf of the International Federation of Mammalogists and The Mammal Society.  The Congress will take place between Sunday 11th and Friday 16th August 2013.

Additional information may be obtained from the Congress website.

Image of Blue tit
Image of Giant Hogweed
Image of rodent
Image of Leatherback turtle

Research staff

  • Anna Alberini
    Environmental economics, economics of health & safety, energy economics;
    Adaption to climate change.
  • Marco Boeri
    Ecological, environmental, health, energy and resource economics.
  • John Bothwell
    Embryonic polarization, genetics and genome evolution in brown algae.
  • Alison Cameron
    Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; Biodiversity; Conservation.
  • Lisa Collins
    Animal behaviour and welfare epidemiology.
  • Sheena Cotter
    Behavioural Ecology, ecological immunology, life-history evolution and trade-offs.
  • Moira Dean
    Food choice and related consumer behaviour; risk perception and communication;
    consumer and health.
  • Jaimie Dick
    Behavioural Ecology; Invasion Biology; Aquatic ecology.
  • Matthew Dring
    Ecophysiology of algae; economic utilization of seaweeds.
  • Robert Elwood
    Animal behaviour and Behavioural Ecology.
  • Mark Emmerson
    Biodiversity and conservation, food webs, and ecosystems.
  • Keith Farnsworth
    Mathematical modelling of biological systems.
  • Chris Harrod
    Ecology, evolution and conservation of fishes and aquatic ecosystems.
  • Richard Holland
    Migration, orientation, navigation, magnetic sense.
  • Jon Houghton
    Marine vertebrates, biotelemetry and gelatinous zooplankton.
  • George Hutchinson
    Chair of Rural & Environmental Economics.
  • Hansjöerg Kunc
    Behavioural ecology, the interface of animal communication and
    evolutionary biology.
  • Jack Lennon
    Spatial & temporal patterns in species distributions (single species), patterns in biodiversity (multiple species) and their causes.
  • Alberto Longo
    Economics of Environment and Health.
  • Christine Maggs
    Systematics of Seaweeds; biogeography and alien invasions.
  • Ian Montgomery
    Mammals: population and community ecology.
  • Niamh O'Connell
    Farm animal behaviour and welfare.
  • Nessa O'Connor
    Community ecology, marine biodiversity and conservation.
  • Robert Paxton
    Insect conservation biology, genetics and Social evolution.
  • Jim Provan
    Population genetics and phylogeography, especially of plants.
  • Neil Reid
    Lagomorph behaviour, ecology and conservation
  • Dai Roberts
    Aquaculture and aquatic resource management.
  • Graham Savidge
    Marine primary production processes and nutrient cycles.
  • Mike Scantlebury
    Reproductive, behavioural and ecological physiology.
  • Riccardo Scarpa
    Gibson Chair of Rural, Food and Environmental Economics
  • Julia Sigwart
    Evolution and phylogenetics of molluscs.

Opportunities for postgraduate research

Studentships are available each year for postgraduate research.  The closing date for applications this year was the 14 January 2013.

There is a possibility that projects may be DEL funded (Department for Employment and Learning Studentships).  For further information on eligibility for funding, please visit the DEL website.