Margaret C. Crofoot

Prof. Dr. Margaret C. Crofoot is a behavioral ecologist and Alexander von Humboldt Professor at the University of Konstanz (since 2019). Previously, she held an Associate Professorship in Anthropology at the University of California, Davis (2017–2019) and was a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI, since 2010). She earned her B.A. from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard University (2008).

Her research focuses on understanding group dynamics and decision-making in animal societies, particularly primates. Using GPS tracking, she studies how baboon groups coordinate movements, revealing that majority-driven decisions override hierarchical leadership. Her work also explores social learning and tool use in capuchin monkeys on Panama’s Coiba Island, uncovering localized cultural practices and gender disparities in tool utilization.

Crofoot leads the Chair for the Ecology of Animal Societies at Konstanz, fostering global collaborations through networks like the ICARUS Initiative. She advocates for gender equality in science, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives to address complex challenges. Her awards include the Humboldt Professorship and the 2016 Provost’s Fellowship for Diversity in Teaching.

Professional affiliations include the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, International Primatological Society, and Animal Behavior Society. She serves on the Executive Board of the ICARUS Initiative, advancing wildlife tracking research worldwide.