Past exhibitions

PAST EXHIBITIONS

Learn more about previous exhibitions at Oxford University Museum of Natural History

FAIR WATER?

What are some of the global barriers to water equality? How can researchers, communities, and policymakers work together to shape a Fair Water future?

23 November 2023 – 1 September 2024

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Connected Planet

Explore the oceans, land, and air around us to witness this dynamic connection and see what happens when the balance tips.

8 February – 1 October 2023

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Waste Land

An exhibition of the aerial photography of American artist and climate activist, J Henry Fair. Featuring ground-breaking images of industrial waste, Waste Land exposed the environmental damage caused by mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy generation.

5 July – 20 November 2022

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Visitors in the Hogweed, a painting by Kurt Jackson of bees in a hogweed plant.

Biodiversity

Bringing together the celebrated art of Kurt Jackson with reflections from Oxford University researchers, this exhibition explored biodiversity across British landscapes and considered the future of our country's habitats.

3 February 2022 – 15 May 2022

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Meat the Future

Across the world, 90% of people are meat-eaters, and global consumption continues to rise. New research has revealed the cost of keeping so much meat on the menu. Discover cutting-edge research into the environmental and health impacts of eating meat.

28 May 2021 – 5 June 2022

Meat the Future: Online

A print of a black and white engraving showing the central court of Oxford University Museum of Natural History in the 19th century

Truth to Nature

Truth to Nature celebrated the Museum's 160 Year Anniversary. View our online exhibition and read our reflections on the Museum's past and future.

2020 to January 2022

Truth to Nature: Online

A glowing particle sphere etched in glass against a dark background

2020: The Sphere that Changed the World

Two powerful and beautiful artworks created by Angela Palmer as the coronavirus pandemic began to grip the world.

17 May – 19 September 2021

2020: Online

First Animals

The story of how animal life first evolved in the oceans over half a billion years ago.

12 July 2019 – 1 September 2020

First Animals: Online

Bacterial World

The hidden story of the smallest of lifeforms and their influence on the past, present and future of our planet.

19 October 2018 – 28 May 2019

Bacterial World: Online

Settlers

From the arrival of the earliest modern humans to the people of the present day, our Settlers exhibition tells the dynamic story of Britain's ever-changing population as revealed by genetics, archaeology and demography.

9 February – 16 September 2018

Settlers: Online

Brain Diaries

Throughout your life, your brain undergoes extraordinary changes, and makes you the person you are. The Brain Diaries exhibition and event programme revealed how the latest neuroscience is transforming what we know about our brains, from birth to the end of life.

10 March – 31 December 2017

Brain Diaries: Online

Microsculpture

A ground-breaking photographic exhibition of science and art, Microsculpture presented insect specimens from the museum's collections like never before. The beautifully-lit, high magnification portraiture of photographer Levon Biss captures the microscopic form of these animals in striking high-resolution detail.

27 May 2016 – 29 January 2017

Microsculpture: Online

Kurt Jackson 2016

Kurt Jackson's art is a celebration of the natural world. This exhibition brought together paintings, sculpture and Museum collections to explore the diverse and beautiful world of bees.

18 March – 29 September 2016

Kurt Jackson 2016: Online

Visions of Nature

During 2016, we presented a rich programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops by artists and writers whose varied work celebrates the natural environment

Visions of Nature: Online

William Smith exhibition at the Museum of Natural History

Handwritten in Stone

How William Smith and his maps changed geology. A bicentenary exhibition to celebrate William Smith and his publication of the first geological map of England and Wales. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

9 October 2015 – 31 January 2016

Biosense

All living organisms need to sense changes in their environments. Current research is exploring the mechanisms involved, and how we might benefit from this understanding.

8 May – 31 August 2015

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Light Touch

Light Touch was an exhibition of exquisite photographs of butterflies and moths from the Museum’s collection by Katherine Child. Browse these images online.

February 2015 – February 2016

Light Touch: Online