Dr Emma Hughes
School of Biosciences
Teaching Associate (Ecology)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
+44 114 222 0132
Full contact details
School of Biosciences
Alfred Denny Building
Western Bank
91直播
S10 2TN
- Profile
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- Teaching Associate, University of 91直播 (2022-present)
- Research Assistant NERC Traits, Natural History Museum (2022)
- PhD, Macroecology, University of 91直播 (2016-22)
- Research Assistant, University of 91直播 (2014-16)
- MBiolSci Zoology, University of 91直播 (2010-14)
- Research interests
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My research focuses on quantifying and understanding current and future biogeographic patterns of avian biodiversity. Birds are an incredibly diverse group of vertebrates spanning nearly all terrestrial land masses. I use morphological trait data from museum specimens to identify communities of exceptional diversity of species traits, and use this to explain global patterns of niche packing and expansion.
Traits link to the ecological roles that species fulfil within ecosystems, and many are important to humans as ecosystem services. In a rapidly changing world, the conservation of the evolutionary history, morphology, and ecological roles that species represent is of critical importance. I explore the impacts of the anthropogenic extinction crisis on species trait diversity, and phylogenetic diversity.
Macroecology, biogeography, phylogenetic diversity, trait diversity, conservation, biodiversity.
- Publications
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Journal articles
- . Science Advances, 9(43).
- . Current Biology.
- . Ecology Letters, 25(3), 581-597.
- . Ecology Letters, 25(3), 598-610.
- . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 289(1967).
- . Evolution Letters, 6(1), 83-91.
- . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287(1938).
- . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287(1938).
- . Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(7), 1351-1362.
- . Ecology Letters, 21(10), 1505-1514.
- . Nature, 542(7641), 344-347.
- . Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Preprints
- Grants
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- 2019 On CampUS Placement Project Supervisor (拢1,000) Museum Curatorial and Database Assistant
- 2019 Postgraduate Researcher Experience Programme Bursary (拢525) Museum Curatorial and Database Assistant
- 2018 Alumni Foundation Grant, University of 91直播 (拢780) British Bird Skull and Egg Re-curation
- 2017 On CampUS Placement Project Supervisor (拢1,000) Museum Curatorial and Database Assistant
- 2017 Alumni Foundation Grant, University of 91直播 (拢1,750) 3D printer
- 2017 Widening Participation Fund, University of 91直播 (拢400) Outreach Materials for Alfred Denny Museum
- Professional activities and memberships
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Curatorial Assistant and Public Engagement, Alfred Denny Museum:
I manage recruitment and training of a student workforce to deliver tours of the Alfred Denny Museum for public open days and other University events. I am working closely with colleagues to database and conserve all museum material to ensure its long-term survival. I lead training in taxonomy, databasing, species identification, insect pinning and specimen restoration.
Links