Dr Emma Hughes

School of Biosciences

Teaching Associate (Ecology)

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Dr Emma Hughes with green sandpiper
Profile picture of Dr Emma Hughes with green sandpiper
emma.hughes@sheffield.ac.uk
Alfred Denny Building

Full contact details

Dr Emma Hughes
School of Biosciences
Alfred Denny Building
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile
  • Teaching Associate, 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Sheffield (2022-present)
  • Research Assistant NERC Traits, Natural History Museum (2022)
  • PhD, Macroecology, 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Sheffield (2016-22)
  • Research Assistant, 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Sheffield (2014-16)
  • MBiolSci Zoology, 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Sheffield (2010-14)
Research interests

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

Journal articles

  • Guillerme T, Bright JA, Cooney CR, Hughes EC, Varley ZK, Cooper N, Beckerman AP & Thomas GH (2023) . Science Advances, 9(43). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hughes EC, Edwards DP & Thomas GH (2022) . Current Biology. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tobias JA, Sheard C, Pigot AL, Devenish AJM, Yang J, Sayol F, NeateClegg MHC, Alioravainen N, Weeks TL, Barber RA , Walkden PA et al (2022) . Ecology Letters, 25(3), 581-597. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hughes EC, Edwards DP, Bright JA, Capp EJR, Cooney CR, Varley ZK & Thomas GH (2022) . Ecology Letters, 25(3), 598-610. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rombaut LMK, Capp EJR, Hughes EC, Varley ZK, Beckerman AP, Cooper N & Thomas GH (2022) . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 289(1967). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rombaut LMK, Capp EJR, Cooney CR, Hughes EC, Varley ZK & Thomas GH (2022) . Evolution Letters, 6(1), 83-91. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chira AM, Cooney CR, Bright JA, Capp EJR, Hughes EC, Moody CJA, Nouri LO, Varley ZK & Thomas GH (2020) . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287(1938). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chira AM, Cooney CR, Bright JA, Capp EJR, Hughes EC, Moody CJA, Nouri LO, Varley ZK & Thomas GH (2020) . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287(1938). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hughes EC, Edwards DP, Sayer CA, Martin PA & Thomas GH (2020) . Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(7), 1351-1362. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chira AM, Cooney CR, Bright JA, Capp EJR, Hughes EC, Moody CJA, Nouri LO, Varley ZK & Thomas GH (2018) . Ecology Letters, 21(10), 1505-1514. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cooney CR, Bright JA, Capp E, Chira A, Hughes EC, Moody C, Nouri , Varley & Thomas GH (2017) . Nature, 542(7641), 344-347. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hughes EC & Slavenko A () . Nature Ecology & Evolution. RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

  • Guillerme T, Bright JA, Cooney CR, Hughes EC, Varley ZK, Cooper N, Beckerman AP & Thomas GH (2022) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. RIS download Bibtex download
Grants
  • 2019 On CampUS Placement Project Supervisor (瞿1,000) Museum Curatorial and Database Assistant
  • 2019 Postgraduate Researcher Experience Programme Bursary (瞿525) Museum Curatorial and Database Assistant
  • 2018 Alumni Foundation Grant, 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Sheffield (瞿780) British Bird Skull and Egg Re-curation
  • 2017 On CampUS Placement Project Supervisor (瞿1,000) Museum Curatorial and Database Assistant
  • 2017 Alumni Foundation Grant, 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Sheffield (瞿1,750) 3D printer
  • 2017 Widening Participation Fund, 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Sheffield (瞿400) Outreach Materials for Alfred Denny Museum
Professional activities and memberships

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 窪蹋勛圖厙 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.

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