Lars Chittka

Professor Lars Chittka holds the position of Professor of Sensory and Behavioural Ecology at Queen Mary University of London, within the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences. His research focuses on animal cognition, sensory systems, pollination ecology, and social insect behavior, with a particular emphasis on bees as model organisms. Chittka’s work bridges sensory physiology, learning psychology, and evolutionary ecology, exploring how sensory systems and cognitive processes function in natural foraging environments. His lab investigates topics such as insect color vision, navigation, and the welfare implications of insect consciousness.

Key areas of research include the cognitive abilities of bees, including their capacity for social learning, tool use, and decision-making. Chittka has pioneered studies on how bees perceive and interact with their environment, including the role of floral signals and the impact of environmental factors like nectar quality and nociception. His team uses field studies, computer-controlled behavioral tests, and phylogenetic analyses to address these questions.

Chittka supervises a range of PhD and postdoctoral researchers, including current students such as Joanna Brebner and Yonghe Zhou. His work has been featured in high-impact journals and media outlets like Science and Nature, and he has contributed to public engagement through articles and commentary on topics like insect welfare and conservation.

Chittka’s research also extends to collaborations with engineering and computer science groups, such as the NimbleAI project exploring neuromorphic computing inspired by insect vision. His lab is affiliated with the Centre for Brain and Behaviour and the Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainability, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding animal behavior and cognition.