This event took place on Thursday 18 May 2023
We are proud to present the Inaugural Professorial Lecture of Professor Mairi Knight
Contemplating his tangled bank in 1859, Darwin had no knowledge of the material of inheritance underpinning evolution by natural selection. Even the basic structure and functioning of DNA was not understood until nearly a century later. Since then, and particularly over the last 30 years, extraordinary advances in technology have revolutionised the genetic tools available to study the diversification and maintenance of life.
Professor of Evolutionary Ecology, Mairi Knight's research interests centre around the evolutionary and ecological processes that give rise to and maintain extant biodiversity. In her inaugural lecture, Mairi draws on examples from her research on a range of biological systems, including bees, to explore how DNA has unlocked previously intractable questions and opened up new perspectives on ecology and evolution.
Although Mairi's current research is focussed mainly on bees, in her earlier career she worked on cichlid fishes from the Great Lakes in Africa. She has also collaborated on a broad range of other species including goats, macaques, termites, sea birds, crabs and frogs. Her research employs molecular laboratory techniques alongside field-based experimental approaches to address issues such as species integrity, mating systems, dispersal, population structuring and adaptive change.
Gathering in-depth knowledge of genetic differences between species is critical to maintaining global biological diversity. Technology has become an increasingly important tool for furthering this understanding of the evolution of biological systems over the last 30 years.
You are welcome to join us for the University of Plymouth's Inaugural Professorial Lecture series, which provide a milestone event in a professorial career. Through these we can promote and celebrate the academic reputation and achievements within their research.
Bumblebee with DNA overlayBombus Hypnorum image credit: Mick Lobb

How do we protect our native bee species?

The UK is home to a wide range of pollinators, including many different bee species, whose services are vital both for maintaining biodiversity and for our food production systems. Unfortunately, many of these species are now under threat, with records of widespread and significant reductions in their abundance over recent decades.
Bees - image from Elizabeth (Libby) Chapman-Lane
Gannet feeding. Image courtesy of Getty images. 

Ecology and Evolution Research Group

Investigating how organisms interact with their environment is critical to managing biodiversity. Working collaboratively, across a diverse range of biological systems, our academics develop a detailed scientific understanding of how these relationships naturally encompass and shape populations and ecological communities and explain patterns of long-term genetic adaptation.

Public Research Programme

The year-long programme of public events showcases our research across a spectrum of topics. It presents the Inaugural Professorial Lecture series which celebrates the achievements of our academics who have been awarded their professorship; providing a platform for which they can share insights into their esteemed research.
All are welcome to join us as our academics open the door to the intriguing world of research, inviting you to learn more about the fascinating work taking place across the University.
Roland Levinsky Building at night