Alecia Carter

Alecia Carter is an Associate Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology at University College London (UCL), where she has been working since 2019. She is affiliated with the Department of Anthropology and conducts research primarily focused on primate behavior, cognition, and evolutionary anthropology. Her work bridges multiple disciplines including ecology, evolutionary biology, and zoology, with a particular emphasis on understanding complex behaviors in wild primates.

Dr. Carter's academic journey includes:

• Undergraduate studies: BSc (Hons) and BA at the University of Queensland
• PhD at the Australian National University
• Postdoctoral positions at the University of Cambridge (Research Associate in Zoology, 2012; Junior Research Fellow with Churchill College, 2013)
• Research Scientist at l'Université de Montpellier, France (prior to joining UCL in 2019)

Dr. Carter's research centers on two main themes: how primates respond to the deaths of others (providing insights into the evolution of cognition and complex emotion), and how individuals access information to make decisions. She investigates how primates use their social environment to gather information and how individual characteristics may constrain this process. Her work on primate thanatology (the study of death responses) has been particularly influential, examining phenomena like infant corpse carrying across multiple primate species. She also studies behavioral consistency and individual differences in primates, exploring how and why animal behavior varies between individuals but remains consistent over time.

Analysis of Dr. Carter's recent publications reveals a strong focus on primate cognition, social behavior, and evolutionary anthropology. Her work frequently examines baboon behavior in the wild, with special attention to social dynamics, reproductive strategies, and responses to death. She employs comparative approaches across primate species and integrates methodologies from behavioral ecology, cognitive science, and evolutionary biology. Her research often addresses fundamental questions about the evolution of complex social behaviors and cognition in primates, with implications for understanding human evolution.

Professional recognition:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Dr. Carter is actively involved in mentoring students and researchers in evolutionary anthropology and primate behavior. Her collaborative network spans multiple institutions globally, with frequent co-authorship with researchers from Cambridge, Montpellier, and other leading universities. She has secured research funding for field studies of wild primates, particularly focusing on chacma baboons in Africa. Her work often involves long-term observational studies combined with innovative experimental approaches in natural settings.

Dr. Carter is part of a vibrant research community studying primate behavior at UCL and collaborates with researchers across the globe. Her work contributes to UCL's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) through research that enhances understanding of primate ecology and conservation needs. She is passionate about ethics in academia, equality, diversity and inclusion, and alternative approaches to teaching, which informs both her research and educational practices.