David Reby

David Reby is a Visiting Professor of Ethology at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. He holds a PhD in Biology of Behaviour from Université Paul Sabatier (1995–1998), followed by postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Sussex (Fyssen Foundation, 1999–2000; Marie Curie, 2000–2002). He was appointed Lecturer in Psychology in 2003 and promoted to Professor in Ethology in 2017. His research focuses on vocal communication in animals and humans, particularly exploring how acoustic signals convey information about body size, identity, and emotional states. He has contributed significantly to understanding bioacoustics in species ranging from deer to domestic dogs, and his work bridges ethology, developmental psychology, and evolutionary biology. He has been awarded the Cozzarelli Prize (PNAS, 2009) and serves as an Academic Editor for Plos ONE.

Research interests include vocal production mechanisms, cross-modal perception in animals, and the evolution of deceptive vocal traits. His studies often involve analyzing formant frequencies and fundamental frequencies to assess traits like body size or emotional arousal. Notable contributions include work on red deer roaring behavior, koala vocal anatomy, and domestic dogs' perception of human speech. His research also extends to human vocal behavior, such as how children modulate vocal masculinity/femininity and the role of voice pitch in social perception.

Publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, addressing topics like acoustic cues in distress cries, cross-modal correspondences in animals, and the stability of voice pitch across human lifespans. He collaborates widely, with projects involving institutions like the University of Edinburgh, University of Vienna, and international research networks. His work emphasizes both field studies and experimental methods, often employing acoustic analyses and behavioral assays to uncover evolutionary and mechanistic insights.

Awards and recognitions underscore his impact in the field, with the Cozzarelli Prize highlighting the societal significance of his PNAS publication on vocal communication. His research has been featured in Science, Nature, and high-impact journals, reflecting his global influence in ethology and acoustics. He actively contributes to public engagement through media appearances and academic outreach, emphasizing the relevance of animal communication studies to broader biological and psychological principles.