Emma Hughes

Dr Emma Hughes is a Teaching Associate in Ecology at the University of Sheffield, affiliated with the School of Biosciences. She holds a PhD in Macroecology from the same institution (2016-2022) and has a background in Zoology (MBiolSci, 2010-2014).

• Expertise in quantifying biogeographic patterns of avian biodiversity
• Uses museum specimen trait data to explain niche packing and ecological roles
• Focus on anthropogenic impacts on phylogenetic and trait diversity

Her research spans macroecology, biogeography, and conservation biology, with a focus on avian evolutionary history and ecosystem services. Recent publications explore global patterns of morphological diversity, allometric constraints, and competition-driven trait evolution.

Notable awards include grants such as the On CampUS Placement Project Supervisor funding (2019, 2017) and Alumni Foundation Grants (2018, 2017). She curates and manages the Alfred Denny Museum's student workforce for public engagement and specimen conservation.