The Institute of Zoology (IoZ) is the research division of ZSL.
We are a world-leading research organisation, directly addressing global challenges in the field of conservation science. Our staff and students undertake research that powers sustainable, innovative solutions that work — for wildlife, people and the planet.
We are funded by Research England, the same body that supports universities, with additional funding for specific projects from the UK research councils and various other academic, corporate, governmental and charitable organisations.
Read the IoZ business plan 2022-2025
Our strategy
We look for answers through science, we work with people to find solutions. Explore our 2024-30 Strategy, Restoring Nature: A Blueprint for Wildlife Recovery, download the documents below:
See an overview Read our full report
Our people
We are a community of internationally recognised researchers and students working in conservation science.
2021 Research Assessment Framework
The Institute of Zoology has an established record of excellence in research and impact, most recently evidenced by our performance in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. In a joint submission with University College London (UCL) and Birkbeck, University of London, to the Biological Sciences unit of assessment (UoA5), 88.5% of our research outputs were judged as ‘world leading’ or 'internationally excellent' and 90.9% of our impacts were judged as having ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ impact. In addition, while we only contributed 10% of the staff in this submission, we contributed five of the 11 Impact Case Studies, which can be found below.
Teaching and training
We offer a range of postgraduate teaching through PhD studentships and Masters-level courses. Each year we support around 70 PhD students, who are registered with partner universities and co-supervised by Institute of Zoology and university staff.
Just some of the study opportunities we provide include:
- PhD research and studentships
- Masters courses
- ECZM veterinary residencies
Find out more about our postgraduate study opportunities
View current PhD project opportunities
Institute of Zoology affiliations and partnerships
We work with our key academic partners, University College London and the Royal Veterinary College. Our partnership with UCL enables collaborative research projects, postgraduate research training, joint academic appointments and research support.
Our partnership with RVC enables the joint delivery of MSc taught courses and projects, including the MSc Wild Animal Health and MSc Wild Animal, and joint delivery of three-year Residencies, in Wildlife Population Health and Zoo Health Management, under the auspices of the European College of Zoological Medicine.
The Institute of Zoology collaborates with 410 academic institutions in the UK and around the world, and we work with over 100 conservation organisations worldwide, with whom we translate our research into impact.
Research ethics and integrity
Researchers at the Institute of Zoology are expected to observe the highest standards of ethics and integrity in the conduct of their research and, as such, all staff carefully adhere to the Institute of Zoology Code of Practice for Research, as well as the UKRI Code of Practice for Research and The Concordat for Research Integrity.
Find out more about our research ethics and integrity policies
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at the Institute of Zoology
As a Higher Education Institution, we believe that a sense of belonging should exist for all staff and students, empowering them to freely share ideas and experience, as well as to foster innovative and creative solutions.
We are therefore committed to supporting the development of a dynamic, flexible, equal, diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes, attracts and retains this diversity.
Our four-pillar framework outlines a vision where equality, diversity, and inclusion are considered in every aspect of the Institute’s activities and functioning. We seek to achieve this vision through:
- Inclusive and diverse representation
- Transparent and equitable science
- Outreach and engagement
- Oversight and accountability
Science is the most powerful tool we have to make conservation happen smarter and better.
Find out more about our research.