Dave Unwin

Dr. Dave Unwin is a Reader in Palaeobiology at the University of Leicester's School of Museum Studies. His research focuses on pterosaurs and Mesozoic reptiles, with notable contributions to taxonomic revisions, morphological analysis, and paleoecological interpretations. He holds a PhD from the University of Reading and has held roles including Curator of Fossil Reptiles at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and a Royal Society Research Fellowship at the University of Bristol.

Education:

• BSc Geology, University of Sheffield (1979-1982)
• PhD in Pterosaur Studies, University of Reading (1984-1991)

Research interests include pterosaur taxonomy, evolutionary biology, and fossil taphonomy. He has led projects on Chinese and North African pterosaur fossils, the Berlin Archaeopteryx, and the EU-funded SYNTHESYS project. His work bridges museum curation, field research, and academic publishing.

Publications span Cretaceous pterosaurs, Jurassic reptiles, and comparative anatomy, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to paleontological questions. His recent work explores locomotion mechanics, dietary analysis, and the diversification of flying reptiles.

Labs/Teams: Collaborations with institutions like the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and international field teams in Morocco, China, and Scotland.