Random Chance in Evolution

Natural selection acts to ensure the ‘survival of the fittest’. But random chance has also played a huge role in the history of life on Earth, from meteorite strikes to massive earthquakes. Randomness also lies at the core of evolutionary processes: the impact of a chance mutation, or the ‘lottery’ of sexual selection.

In this lecture, we’ll look at some remarkable examples of evolutionary chance and reveal why they are sometimes less random than you might expect.

The talk will be given by Professor Robin May.