Professor Tim Coulson | Author, Science Popularizer and University of Oxford Professor of Zoology

Tim Coulson is Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford where he has been involved in academic leadership since 2017. He is an energetic and effective advocate and popularizer of science, and author of the popular science book “The Universal History of Us: a 13.8-billion-year tale from the Big Bang to You” published by Penguin in 2024. Tim has also published over 200 scientific papers and has won numerous awards for his research and teaching from the Royal Society, the British Ecological Society, The Swedish Oikos Society, the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. Tim lives in Oxford with his wife Sonya and dog Woofler, and is never happier than being outside in nature. He is currently working on his second book, about predators, set for release in 2025.

Enquiries

* Media Comment, Expert Opinion & Interviews

Tim is available as a media commentator and expert contributor for interviews, first-person pieces, and commentary across digital, print, and broadcast media. With primary expertise in science communication, the science of existence, predator biology, and the effects of human activity on the natural world, Professor Coulson offers insight into a wide range of subjects. He is well-suited to speak on topics such as general science, evolution, ecology, biodiversity, academia, and human impacts on ecosystems. For media inquiries, Professor Coulson provides authoritative perspectives grounded in decades of research and experience, bringing clarity and depth to complex scientific concepts and their relevance to everyday life.

* Charity Collaborations & Support

Tim is available for professional and pro bono collaborations with charities, non-profits, and organisations that align with his research and expertise. He is particularly interested in supporting causes and groups focused on environmental responsibility and reducing human impact on the natural world. Through his experience in evolutionary biology, population dynamics, and conservation, Professor Coulson is well-positioned to advise and collaborate with organisations dedicated to sustainable practices and ecological awareness. He welcomes partnerships that promote environmental stewardship, aiming to make scientific insights accessible and actionable for impactful change.

* Public Speaking Engagements

Tim is available for public speaking engagements, offering both remote and in-person appearances as a keynote speaker for brands, educational institutions, and conferences. He is experienced in delivering insightful presentations on evolutionary biology, ecology, and human impacts on the natural world, connecting complex scientific topics to real-world implications. Professor Coulson is open to professional engagements and pro bono appearances for schools, colleges, and organisations aligned with his work, aiming to inspire and educate audiences on environmental responsibility, biodiversity, and the importance of science communication.

About

Professor Tim Coulson is a distinguished zoologist and biologist, currently serving as Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford, a role he has held since 2013. With a career spanning over 30 years, he is internationally recognised for his pioneering research, which combines evolutionary biology, population dynamics, and conservation, particularly around species interactions and biodiversity.

Professor Coulson has held several prominent positions, including Head of the Department of Biology at Oxford (2022–2024) and Professor of Population Biology at Imperial College London (2005–2012). His academic contributions have been recognised through numerous awards, such as the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2010), the Marsh Prize for Ecology (2012), and the Per Brinck Award for world-leading ecologists (2012). He is also a Professorial Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford, and has been an Honorary Research Fellow at the Zoological Society of London (2017–2022).

In addition to his research, Professor Coulson has played an influential role in policy advisory work, including service on the UK Government’s Special Committee on Seals and the Independent Expert Panel on badger culls. He has held editorial positions as Chief Editor for both Ecology Letters and Journal of Animal Ecology, and he co-founded Peer Community in Ecology. Furthermore, he has advised institutions such as the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis in Oslo and the National Centre for Statistical Ecology.

His academic journey began with a BSc in Biology from the University of York (1990) and a PhD in Biology from Imperial College London (1994). Professor Coulson’s book, The Universal History of Us: A 13.8 Billion-Year Tale from the Big Bang to You (Penguin), explores the science of life and the universe with clarity and accessibility.

Beyond his academic achievements, Professor Coulson has contributed to institutional growth, such as leading the business case for a £200 million building for Biology and Experimental Psychology at Oxford and serving on various University committees overseeing major budget allocations and IT spending. He is also a frequent media contributor, appearing as a talking head on BBC Today, The World at One, Radio 5 Live, Radio Oxfordshire, Channel 4 News, and Richard E. Grant’s 7 Deadly Sins of the Animal Kingdom, among others.

Despite his knowledge of nature, Professor Coulson is an utterly useless gardener. He is based in Oxford.

Further Information:

Wikipedia

University of Oxford

X (Twitter) – @ProfExistence

News & Upcoming Events

Weight	0.5 kg
Dimensions	56 × 23 × 27 cm
Type	Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook, Audio CD, Kindle

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