Karline R. L. Janmaat

Karline R. L. Janmaat is an Endowed Professor in Cognitive Behavioural Ecology at Leiden University's Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Cognitive Psychology. She holds affiliations with ARTIS zoo in Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam's Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics. Her research focuses on understanding the evolutionary function and diversity of cognition in primates and other animals, particularly in wild versus captive environments. She employs methods such as longitudinal observations, VR technology, and ecological modeling to study foraging strategies, episodic-like memory, and route planning in primates.

Research Interests: Janmaat investigates cognitive strategies in primates and humans, emphasizing how socio-ecological contexts influence decision-making. Her work bridges evolutionary biology, psychology, and conservation, aiming to improve captive animal welfare through insights into natural habitat challenges. She leads the Mbendjele Foraging Project, exploring foraging cognition in diverse populations.

Labs/Teams: Director of the Mbendjele Foraging Project, collaborating with field and lab researchers internationally. Future work includes applying cognitive ecology findings to conservation and captive animal management.