About us
The UCL Research Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment (GEE) is part of the Division of Biosciences and the Faculty of Life Sciences. GEE traces its origins to the Department of Comparative Anatomy founded in 1826 and incorporates previous Departments of Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology and the Galton Laboratory, the first Department of Genetics in the UK.
From offering the first Zoology degree in Britain to being the first institute in the world to study human genetics as a science to its current ground breaking work in ecology and biodiversity, this research department has been instrumental in our understanding of Genetics, Evolution and the Environment.
From Robert Grant to the founders of modern statistical science, Karl Pearson and RA Fisher to John Maynard Smith and his work on game theory to Anne McLaren and her ground-breaking work in reproductive biology and many more.
Today, we cover a very broad range of activity including biodiversity and environmental biology, the biology of ageing, microbiology, computational biology, evolution and development, evolutionary genetics, human genetics and human evolution.
GEE Research Centres
Explore the research taking place within GEE's 6 Research Centres
Join GEE
Junior Postdoctoral Fellowships
GEE are committed to supporting potential independent fellows who are taking the first steps towards establishing their own research programmes.
Independent Fellowships
GEE staff include current fellows and many established researchers who started their careers on fellowships.
Summer Studentships
GEE offers a number of summer placement opportunities for UCL Biological Sciences undergraduate students.
More about us
Our History
GEE has been home to some of the greatest figures of evolutionary biology and genetics from JBS Haldane, Peter Medawar and Sue Povey to our current world-leading scientists.
GEE and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We work in close collaboration with Divisional EDI Groups to foster an inclusive, supportive environment, so everyone feels a strong sense of of belonging and is empowered to flourish across all areas
GEE Staff Intranet
This is an intranet sharepoint for GEE staff and students to access information and links to Biosciences and UCL's policies and procedures. (Restricted to GEE staff ad students)
Study with us
PhD
Our students come from all around the world to join our department. Their ground-breaking research covers a wide range of topics within the fields of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment.
Master's
We offer a range of MSc and MRes programmes that utilise our expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics and ecology.
Undergraduate
Our BSc/MSci degree programmes offer undergraduates the flexibility to study broadly across the biological sciences.
News
New review on the evolutionary genetics of ageing published in Nature Reviews Genetics
A major new review on the evolutionary genetics of ageing has been published in Nature Reviews Genetics.
09 Jun 2026
Elite breeding lines being developed for indoor cultivation of watercress
Watercress has been on a roll ever since a federal report declared it a superfood in 2014. The global market for this pungent, peppery herb was estimated at $673 million in 2024.
08 Jun 2026
UCL commits to becoming a Nature Positive University
UCL has pledged to become a Nature Positive University, marking a major step in its response to the biodiversity crisis and reinforcing its ambition to place nature at the heart of sustainability.
22 May 2026
What's on
View more events06 Nov
in person
Understanding evolution through game theory: Insights from students and researchers00:00 - 00:00
