About
The crisis of global biodiversity loss is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Biodiversity faces threats from land-use change, over-consumption, and unsustainable use of living resources. Changing these drivers requires a better understanding of nature and its values to people, as well as practical steps to support economic, social and political transitions towards more equitable and effective stewardship of our planet.
Who we are
The University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute (CRI) exists to address these challenges. It is an inclusive community that brings together academic experts from the natural and social sciences, arts and humanities to conduct interdisciplinary research and teaching on complex conservation problems and their solutions.
Our research explores how species, ecosystems and landscapes function and interact, how conservation and environmental outcomes are shaped by social and political forces, and how societies can make evidence-informed choices that benefit biodiversity and human wellbeing.
CRI was established in 2013 as a focal point for university research and teaching relating to biodiversity, conservation, and the social context within which humans engage with nature. With members drawn from all six schools of the University of Cambridge — and around 100 staff and students co-located in the David Attenborough Building in central Cambridge — CRI is uniquely positioned to deliver genuine transdisciplinary research that helps to secure a diverse world in which nature and society can thrive.
CRI is a vital part of the wider family of University of Cambridge institutions conducting research and teaching on nature and climate.
Connecting research to real-world impact
A unique feature of CRI is its direct connection to conservation policy and practice. Through the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) – a partnership between the University and ten leading international conservation organisations – CRI staff and students work directly with practitioners and policymakers, ensuring that findings are relevant and directly applicable for real-world impact.
CRI is co-located with CCI partners in the flagship David Attenborough Building, home to the world's largest concentration of conservation expertise.
Our structure and vision
CRI has been carefully designed to facilitate interdisciplinary research, teaching and impact. We bring together, in one shared space, leading researchers from multiple disciplines and career stages. This enables us to generate new insights that could not be achieved from traditional disciplinary silos.
Our research is organised around three interconnected themes where Cambridge is uniquely positioned to drive change. We share with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative an overall vision of: A diverse world in which nature and society thrive.
Looking ahead
CRI is already making a significant contribution to conservation and human wellbeing through research, education, policy, and practice. However, in the face of escalating global challenges, there is a pressing need to increase the scale and ambition of our work.