Current Research

For publications see Google Scholar

Novelty and Innovation

A major research focus since 2014 has been the nature of evolutionary novelty (the origin of newly individuated characters and character suites) and innovation (the ecological and evolutionary success of novelties).

Origins of the New: Novelty and Innovation in Life, Culture and Techonology will be published by Princeton University Press in February 2026.

Relevant publications: Erwin 2015 Current Biology Erwin 2017 Philosophical Transactions Erwin 2020 Biological Reviews Erwin 2021 J Geological Society of London

Ediacaran-Cambrian Radiation

The origin of and early diversification of animals during the Ediacaran and Cambrian periods poses challenging problems for understanding major evolutionary events and macroevolution. This episode involved extensive developmental, morphological and behavioral novelties, the establishment and expansion of ecosystems dominated by macroscopic organisms, all during an interval of widespread environmental change. This raises intriguing questions about the relative significance of development, ecology and environment.

Relevant publications: Erwin et al. 2011 Science. Erwin and Valentine 2013 The Cambrian Explosion Erwin 2020 Development

Evolution of the Regulatory Genome

The continuing expansion of comparative data on development has opened new insights into the evolution of the regulatory genome and how this has impacted macroevolutionary patterns and processes. I began this work with my late colleague Eric Davidson (Caltech) but have continued this project.

Relevant publications: Davidson & Erwin 2006 Science. Erwin & Davidson 2009 Nat Rev Genetics. Erwin 2020 Cur Topic Dev Biol. Erwin 2020 Development

Collaborations at the Santa Fe Institute

I am participating in a number of collaborations at the Santa Fe Institute, particularly: Contingency in complex adaptive systems, Laws of history, and Computational complexity in history and biology

History and Philosophy of Historical Sciences

The historical sciences (paleontology, evolutionary biology and archaeology) have attracted considerable attention from historians and philosophers, but I believe that practicing scientists can provide important perspectives. I am currently working on questions about contingency, the nature of novelty and innovation in evolution, and the history of paleontology.

Relevant publications: Erwin 2015 Paleobiology Erwin 2019 Theory Biosciences Erwin 2024 Philosophy Theory and Practice in Biology