Elva Robinson

Professor Elva Robinson is a Professor in Ecology at the University of York's Department of Biology. Her research focuses on understanding the social structure of animal groups, particularly ants, and its implications for conservation and invasive species management. She combines lab experiments, fieldwork, and computational modeling to explore how environmental changes affect social behaviors and colony resilience. Her work includes studying Formica rufa wood ants and invasive species like Lasius neglectus, with a focus on network dynamics and intergroup cooperation.

Her research interests span behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and the application of systems analysis to biological networks. She collaborates with the York Cross-disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis (YCCSA) and the European MonitAnt project to assess wood ant conservation statuses. Her teaching emphasizes active engagement, including animated videos and science communication projects.

Professor Robinson supervises PhD and MSc projects on topics like ant colony networks, wood ant conservation, and invasive species. She has received a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship and holds grants supporting research into ant behavior and conservation. Her work bridges ecological theory and practical conservation, with implications for both natural and engineered systems.