The Darwin Centre Phase One at the Natural History Museum, which opened on 30 September 2002, represents an innovative new approach to science communication.

By providing an informal forum for scientists and visitors to meet face-to-face or through live webcasts, the Centre aims to break down the barriers between scientists and the public. At the same time, it aims to protect and facilitate access to the Natural History Museum's unique collection of 22 million zoological specimens and to

provide an environment in which the Museum's scientific researchers can flourish across a diverse range of disciplines.

The programme of 'behind the scenes' tours - Darwin Centre Explore - take the public into the zoological collections, transforming otherwise inaccessible spaces into areas of public discovery and inspiration. An imaginative programme of public debates, Darwin Centre Live, led by Museum scientists, embraces themes of contemporary relevance such as the environmental effects of oil tanker disasters or the conservation of Britain's flora and fauna. Live webcasts from the Centre and video links to research and collections areas around the Museum provide even greater access for the public.

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