Professor Loeske Kruuk FRS

Loeske Kruuk is an evolutionary biologist whose research focuses on evolutionary and ecological processes in wild animal populations. Her work has driven the analysis of quantitative genetics in natural populations and its use in testing fundamental evolutionary theory. She has worked on a range of wild animal populations, mainly mammals and birds, using long-term studies with individual life-history and genetic data. Her research has demonstrated substantial potential for ongoing evolutionary adaptation and responses to natural selection.


Loeske also works on understanding the impact of current environmental change on natural populations, in particular that due to a warming climate. Her research has facilitated statistical developments driven by the challenges inherent in analysing complex data from wild populations.


Since her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, Loeske has worked at Edinburgh, Cambridge and the Australian National University, returning to Edinburgh in 2021 on a Royal Society Research Professorship. Her awards include the Presidents’ Award of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology, the Mary Lyon Medal of the Genetics Society and the Scientific Medal of the Zoological Society of London.

Professional position

  • Royal Society Research Professor, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh

Subject groups

  • Patterns in Populations

    Biological statistics, Ecology (incl behavioural ecology), Evolution

Professor Loeske Kruuk FRS
Elected 2023