Julia Espinosa

Dr. Julia Espinosa is a Research Fellow in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, affiliated with the Peabody Museum. Her work focuses on comparative cognition, particularly in domestic dogs and canids, emphasizing collaborative 'Big Team Science' approaches to investigate canine behavior and cognition.

Her research explores topics such as dogs' understanding of human gestures, physical object interactions, food preferences, and play behavior across species. She pioneered the ManyDogs Project, a multi-lab initiative to replicate and expand studies on canine social cognition. Methodological innovations include the use of head-mounted eye-tracking devices to study dogs' visual attention.

Espinosa's studies often bridge developmental psychology and ethology, analyzing how dogs perceive environmental cues (e.g., solidity, containment) and engage in social learning. Her work highlights the importance of large-scale collaborative research to standardize experimental protocols and enhance reproducibility in comparative cognition.

No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. She has advised no formally listed students but collaborates extensively with international research groups.