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Dr James Herbert-Read is an Associate Professor and Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. He serves as Deputy Head of Department (Postgraduate Education) and leads the Marine Behavioural Ecology Group. His research focuses on understanding how animals, particularly marine organisms, collect and process information from their environments to make behavioral decisions, with emphasis on social interactions, adaptation mechanisms, and ecological constraints. His group employs theoretical frameworks, controlled experiments, and quantitative field studies to investigate behavioral diversity in marine species. Key themes include collective behavior, predator-prey dynamics, camouflage strategies, and the impacts of environmental stressors on animal decision-making. Recent publications highlight work on lionfish vocalization mechanisms, cuttlefish camouflage, citizen science applications in marine research, and behavioral responses to visual and acoustic noise. Scientific awards and affiliations include: Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology Associate Professor, University of Cambridge He has supervised research projects on topics such as: Social attraction in invasive fish species Evolution of coordinated movement Neurophysiological basis for leadership in shoals Maternal effects on offspring exploration

• Behavioural Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Collective Animal Behaviour
• +4 more

Prof. Radek Erban is a Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute , University of Oxford. He is affiliated with the Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics and works across interdisciplinary fields including Mathematical Biology, Stochastic Processes, and Reaction-Diffusion Systems. His research focuses on: Multiscale modeling of biological and chemical processes Stochastic simulation algorithms for reaction-diffusion systems Mathematical analysis of collective behavior in biological systems Computational methods for chemotaxis and gene regulatory networks Partial differential equation models for biological phenomena Recent work explores multi-resolution simulations of ions, morphogen gradient modeling, and hybrid numerical methods for stochastic processes. His publications span journals in applied mathematics, computational biology, and physical sciences. Current projects involve bridging atomistic and continuum models for chemical systems.

• Applied Mathematics
• Mathematical Biology
• Multiscale Modelling
• +5 more

Prof. Malinda Carpenter is a Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of St Andrews, School of Psychology and Neuroscience. Her research focuses on infants' and young children’s social cognition, including joint attention, prosocial behavior, intergroup reactions, and comparative cognition between humans and apes. She holds editorial roles at Cognition and Child Development Perspectives . Research Interests: Her work examines mechanisms underlying social learning, communicative gestures, and the emergence of shared understanding in early childhood. Key topics include how infants interpret others' mental states, form social bonds, and navigate group dynamics. She also investigates parallels and differences in social cognition between humans and great apes. Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2021), Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (2012) Supervision: Currently advising PhD candidates Jinzhi Feng and Christina Ruiz-Mendoza Lab Affiliations: Centre for Research into Equality, Diversity & Inclusion; Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences Public Engagement: Her team addresses methodological challenges in child research and emphasizes ethical participant recruitment. Recent work explores how time constraints and social contexts influence prosocial behavior in young children.

• Developmental Psychology
• Social Cognition
• Prosocial Behavior
• +4 more

Dr Jonathan Read serves as Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics at Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, specializing in infectious disease transmission dynamics and evolutionary patterns through network-based epidemiological modeling. Educational background includes: PhD in Ecology, University of Stirling (1996) BSc in Biology, York University (1991) His research integrates social contact pattern measurement with population-scale transmission modeling, behavioral response analysis during epidemics, and large-scale human mobility frameworks. Current work focuses on refining outbreak assessment methods and pathogen evolutionary dynamics through both primary data collection and secondary analysis approaches. Recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on mobility data integration for infectious disease research, particularly in leptospirosis case studies and pandemic preparedness applications, reflecting interdisciplinary convergence of spatial epidemiology, statistical modeling, and public health intervention design. Scientific recognition includes: Weldon Memorial Prize Dr Read actively supervises PhD candidates in disease dynamics modeling and epidemic control strategies while leading multiple DSI-funded projects including school-level pathogen transmission control, mobility model effectiveness assessment, and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance systems. His research portfolio spans epidemic threat evaluation across Malawi, Uganda, and UK school environments. He contributes to the CHICAS DSI - Health research group and provides expert consultation to the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, with ongoing projects extending through 2030 addressing transmission network quantification and epidemic preparedness.

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Transmission Dynamics
• Evolutionary Dynamics
• +4 more

Professor Andrew (Jamie) Wood holds a joint appointment in Mathematics and Biology at the University of York, promoted to Professor of Mathematical Modelling in 2021 after serving as Senior Lecturer (2014) and Lecturer (2012). He chairs the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and co-founded the York Historical Warfare Analysis Group. His educational background includes undergraduate studies at Cambridge, a PhD at Imperial College, and a Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 fellowship at Oxford where he transitioned from Mathematical Physics to biological applications. Earlier research involved Ising models and Daisyworld systems during a postdoc at Edinburgh's JCMB. Wood's research bridges computational mathematics with biological systems, focusing on collective motion dynamics (network interactions and noise effects), microbial ecology (metabolism, spatial structures, plasmid evolution), and unconventional domains like naval warfare modeling and glycosylation pathways . His work consistently applies stochastic modeling to evolutionary questions in symbiosis and translocation. Recent publications reveal an interdisciplinary trajectory spanning conservation biology (arthropod translocation), microbial evolution (plasmid-chromosome fitness tradeoffs), and sustainable biotechnology (cyanobacterial feedstocks). This reflects his core methodology of adapting statistical physics frameworks to biological complexity. Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 fellowship RCUK Fellow (2007) Wood actively recruits PhD students for mathematics-biology interface projects and currently leads major grants including IMPROGLYC0 (EU-funded glycoform programming, 2025-2028) and BBSRC-funded glycan biosynthesis research (2024-2026). His group maintains collaborations with defense analysts through the Historical Warfare Analysis Group. He operates within York's Mathematical Biology and Chemistry Research Group, leveraging cross-departmental infrastructure for agent-based simulations of bacterial communities and warfare scenarios, with emerging work on fungal-cyanobacterial bioprocess engineering.

• Mathematical Biology
• Collective Motion
• Microbiology
• +5 more

Alyx Elder is a Lecturer in Zoo Biology and Animal Behaviour at Manchester Metropolitan University, with nearly 20 years of industry experience in exotic zoo animal training. Her research focuses on pinniped sensory systems , AI-based kinematic tracking , and animal welfare , integrating fieldwork in zoos, aquariums, and museum collections. She is a BBSRC Discovery Fellow and member of the Conservation, Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Research Group . Current PhD student: Katie Todd (Pinniped sensing strategies) Current MSc student: Emma Mcloughlin (South African Fur Seals) Completed MSc/BSc students: Donata Lorenzo , Mollie Taylor , Catherine Smith Her work involves collaborations with institutions like Seaquarium Rhyl and Blackpool Zoo , and she actively contributes to public engagement via media appearances on BBC , ITV , and The ONE Show .

• Sensory Biology
• Comparative Anatomy
• Animal Behaviour Training
• +5 more

Dr. Nick Neave is a Professor of Psychology at Northumbria University, specializing in hoarding behaviors, conspiracy beliefs, and the psychological aspects of soccer officiating. He leads the Hoarding Research Group and chairs the UK Hoarding Partnership. His teaching focuses on hoarding, parapsychology, and hormones & behavior. With a PhD in Neurosciences from Durham University (1995), he has supervised multiple PhD students exploring hoarding, conspiracy theories, and superstition. His research spans digital hoarding’s implications for cybersecurity, workplace culture, and mental health. He has published extensively on topics like prenatal androgen effects on sports performance and trauma’s role in hoarding severity. Education: PhD in Neurosciences, Durham University (1991–1995) Research Interests: Hoarding behaviors (both physical and digital), conspiracy beliefs, superstitious behaviors, and the psychological traits of sports officials. His work bridges clinical psychology, cognitive science, and societal impacts. Grant and Advising Trends: Focus on interdisciplinary grants addressing hoarding’s social and organizational challenges, with notable collaborations on digital data management and public health implications. Currently supervising PhD projects on hoarding behavior mechanisms and conspiracy theory propagation. Labs/Teams: Hoarding Research Group (Northumbria University)

• Hoarding and Collecting Behaviours
• Conspiracy Theory Beliefs
• Psychological Characteristics of Soccer Officials
• +3 more

John Binks is a Lecturer in Animal Science and Programme Manager for the BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Hartpury University, where he has been teaching since 2017. He is affiliated with the Department of Animal and Agriculture and plays a key role in curriculum delivery and student supervision across undergraduate and access-level programmes. Education: BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour & Welfare, University of the West of England (UWE), awarded July 2016 MRes in Animal Behaviour & Welfare, University of the West of England (UWE), awarded August 2017 John's research centers on animal welfare, particularly sensory and environmental enrichment in captive animals. His work emphasizes olfactory and auditory stimulation in shelter dogs to reduce stress and improve rehoming outcomes. He also investigates animal cognition, theory of mind, and affective states, contributing to broader understanding of animal awareness and communication. His teaching includes modules such as Animal Welfare Assessment, Animal Psychology, and Fundamental Skills for the Animal Scientist. His recent publications highlight innovative applications of sensory enrichment, including the use of scents like vanilla and ginger to influence canine behavior and promote wellbeing. These studies reflect a consistent focus on practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance animal welfare in real-world settings. Scientific Awards and Recognition: British Veterinary Association Foundation Trophy (Undergraduate) Postgraduate Scholarship Prize (Top MRes Student) HE Inspiring Lecturer Award Winner, Hartpury StAR Awards 2023 Nominee, Expert in their Field Award (2023, 2024) Nominee, Most Inspiring Lecture HE Award (2024) Nominee, Heart of Hartpury Award (2023) John has supervised over 25 student research projects, often in collaboration with external partners such as the RSPCA, veterinary clinics, and zoological collections. He is actively involved in professional development, including participation in workshops on change management and a Virtual Reality Pilot Project with Avantis. His engagement with industry and commitment to student-centered learning underscore his impact beyond the classroom. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and contributes to animal welfare discourse through blog posts, media appearances, and specialist publications, demonstrating a strong public engagement profile.

• Animal Welfare
• Animal Cognition
• Sensory Enrichment
• +12 more

Dr. Andrew King is an Associate Professor in Biosciences at Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, leading the SHOALgroup. His research focuses on animal social behavior, collective decision-making, and socioecology, with applied themes in conservation and human-wildlife interactions. He has held fellowships and visiting roles globally and is an experienced journal editor. Recognized for teaching excellence, he has developed acclaimed postgraduate programs and leads the Faculty's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives. His work bridges ecology, robotics, and leadership, with a strong presence in media and corporate workshops. Research interests include primate behavior, collective animal movement, and the application of technology in ecology. Key projects involve studying baboon urban adaptation, dairy calf behavior, and biohybrid robotics. Over 150 scientific publications span topics like group coordination, stress physiology, and conservation strategies. Notable awards include the University Excellence in Teaching Award and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Supervised PhD topics include collective behavior, cortisol coregulation in animals, and primate natal coat function. Active in public engagement, he contributes to science festivals, media outlets, and corporate leadership workshops.

• Animal Behaviour
• Behavioural Ecology
• Collective Behaviour
• +3 more

Professor James A.R. Marshall is a Professor of Theoretical and Computational Biology at the University of Sheffield's School of Computer Science, where he also serves as Director of the Centre for Machine Intelligence. He leads the Behavioural and Evolutionary Theory Lab (BET Lab), an interdisciplinary research group focused on understanding behavior through mathematical and computational approaches. His academic journey includes previous positions at the University of Bristol before joining Sheffield in 2010. Marshall's research spans collective social insect behavior, evolutionary theory, decision theory, robotics, and theoretical neuroscience. He applies mathematical and computational approaches to understand how and why behaviors evolve, with particular interest in social insect colonies, swarm intelligence, and biomimetic applications for robotics. His work often bridges biology and computer science, developing algorithms inspired by natural systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding confidence-weighted decision-making, quorum sensing in swarms, and magnitude-sensitive reaction times in multi-alternative choices. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward applying insights from biological systems to robotics and AI, particularly through projects like Brains on Board and Opteran Technologies. His work increasingly focuses on neuromorphic control systems that mimic insect brains for autonomous navigation, demonstrating how constraints in biological systems can lead to robust engineering solutions. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in publications spanning computational neuroscience, robotics, animal behavior, and theoretical biology. EPSRC Peer Review College Member (2010-present) Member of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Panel College (2019-present) Editorial Board, Swarm Intelligence (2017-present) Associate Editor, PLoS Computational Biology (2020-present) Marshall has successfully mentored numerous researchers including HaDi MaBouDi, Andreagiovanni Reina, and Alexander Cope, while securing substantial research funding including EPSRC grants totaling over £4 million. His lab has produced the spinout company Opteran Technologies, which has secured over £12 million in funding to develop natural intelligence technology for autonomous systems. The BET Lab maintains strong connections with Sheffield Robotics and focuses on testing theoretical models in physical robotic systems while developing computational models of biological processes.

• Collective behaviour
• Theoretical and Computational Biology
• Decision theory
• +7 more

Will Hoppitt is a Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Cumbria since 2024, with over 25 years of experience as a zoologist specializing in animal behavior and behavioral ecology. He holds a qualification in statistical modeling, emphasizing its integration into zoological education. Previously lecturing at Anglia Ruskin University and Leeds University, he was drawn to Cumbria’s natural surroundings for field-based teaching opportunities. His research focuses on animal social learning, examining cultural transmission mechanisms across species like humpback whales, chimpanzees, and honeybees. Notable projects include analyzing the spread of novel behaviors and the role of social networks in collective foraging. He teaches modules such as Animal Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology, and Statistical Modelling Techniques, integrating practical fieldwork and computer simulations into teaching methods. His work emphasizes close student interaction through seminars and group discussions, distinguishing Cumbria’s undergraduate programs. The university’s location near the Lake District and Pennines allows frequent fieldwork, such as deer park studies at Levens Hall. Hoppitt’s career includes freelance statistical consulting and safari guiding in Botswana’s Makadikadi region.

• Animal Behaviour
• Behavioural Ecology
• Statistical Modelling
• +4 more

Professor Mark Tranmer is a faculty member at the University of Glasgow's School of Social & Political Sciences, Department of Quantitative Social Sciences. He joined in 2016 and previously held roles at the University of Manchester. He holds an Honorary Professorship at the University of Wollongong. Education: PhD in Social Statistics (University of Southampton, 1999), MSc and BSc in Statistics (University of Sheffield). Research Interests: Methodological: Multilevel models, social network analysis, relational event models (REM), combining network and spatial/organizational structures. Substantive: Public health (smoking/substance use, well-being), health systems (hospitals, patient safety), social stratification, animal behavior. Research Contributions: Over 15 articles from 2015–2024 focus on network-driven health outcomes, multilevel modeling innovations, and policy impacts (e.g., benefit sanctions). Notable work includes pandemic-related substance use disruptions and temporal animal social dynamics. Affiliations: Leads the Glasgow Quantitative Methods Group (GQMG), promoting interdisciplinary quantitative methods. Active in Mitchell Centre for Social Network Analysis (Manchester) and Cathie Marsh Institute (CMIST). Teaching & Supervision: Taught statistical methods globally; supervised 14 PhD students on quantitative applications in health/social sciences.

• Multilevel Modelling
• Social Network Analysis
• Relational Event Modelling
• +4 more

Dr. Julia Schroeder is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park) at Imperial College London, affiliated with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and centers including the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet and the Grantham Institute. Her research focuses on behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and seabird ecology, with particular interests in traits influencing individual variation in behavior, aging mechanisms, and the genetic basis of social networks. She leads the Schroeder Lab, emphasizing data-driven approaches to study avian behavior and conservation challenges. Recent work includes developing automated methods for behavioral analysis (e.g., YOLO-Behaviour framework) and investigating telomere dynamics in wild populations. Her affiliations span interdisciplinary initiatives at Silwood Park Campus and the Ecosystems and Environment group. She actively invites PhD applicants interested in seabird ecology, citizen science, or genomics of life-history traits. Research methodologies include meta-analyses, machine learning, and long-term field studies, often addressing topics like social behavior, fitness correlates, and human-wildlife interactions. Her work bridges theoretical and applied ecology, with contributions to understanding biodiversity conservation and evolutionary processes. Publications highlight trends in behavioral flexibility, telomere length heritability, and social network robustness. She collaborates widely, integrating computational tools into ecological research while addressing challenges in wildlife management and invasive species perception.

• Ecology
• Zoology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +7 more

Prof Kevin Lala is a Professor in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews, where he leads the Laland Lab. He holds affiliations with the Centre for Biological Diversity, Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences, and Centre for Social Learning & Cognitive Evolution. His academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in Psychology from University College London and a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Southampton. Prof Lala’s research focuses on animal social learning, niche construction theory, and human cognitive evolution. Key areas include the evolution of intelligence in primates, the role of cultural inheritance in shaping biological evolution, and the interplay between genes and culture. His work integrates experimental studies with mathematical modeling, contributing to the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis framework. Recent publications emphasize global patterns of avian nesting behavior, the impact of anthropogenic environments on wildlife, and the refinement paradox in cumulative cultural evolution. His work has been recognized through prestigious awards like the PROSE Award for Biological Science (2018) and the British Psychological Society’s Best Academic Book Prize (2017). Prof Lala supervises PhD students Sven Kasser and Lucas Mathieu. He has led major research projects funded by the John Templeton Foundation, including studies on gene-culture coevolution and niche construction. His contributions extend to science communication, with articles in New Scientist and popular books like Darwin’s Unfinished Symphony . Prof Lala actively participates in academic activities, including keynote lectures at Darwin Day Celebrations and workshops on evolutionary theory. His research lab hosts international collaborations and produces datasets for non-human primate neuroimaging, advancing comparative studies in cognitive evolution.

• Animal Behavior
• Evolutionary Biology
• Social Learning
• +6 more

Kathy Baker is an Honorary Lecturer in the MSc in Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Biology at the University of Plymouth, affiliated with the School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering). She serves as an Education and Research Officer at Wild Planet Trust (Newquay Zoo). Her qualifications include a PhD from the University of Exeter (2006–2012), an MSc from the University of Plymouth (2004–2005), and a BSc from Liverpool John Moores University (2001–2004). Her research focuses on animal personality, zoo animal welfare, and applied psychology, with emphasis on primate behavior and conservation. She has organized Regional Environmental Enrichment Conferences biennially since 2006. Teaching roles include courses at Cornwall College Newquay in Applied Zoology, Animal Behaviour and Psychology, and Zoological Conservation. Publications highlight cross-species personality comparisons, captive management practices, and zoo-based behavioral research. She actively contributes to professional networks like the Primate Society of Great Britain and SHAPE-UK-Ireland.

• Animal Personality
• Zoo Animal Welfare
• Applied Psychology
• +3 more