Robert Heathcote

Dr. Robert Heathcote is a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Department of Biology. His research focuses on behavioral and sensory ecology, particularly predator-prey interactions and animal communication strategies. He employs a multidisciplinary approach combining fieldwork, lab experiments, and techniques from computer vision, robotics, and visual psychology.

• Academic Rank: Research Fellow (Royal Society funded)
• Affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Oxford

Research Interests:
Explores how predators and prey evolve counter-strategies affecting social behavior, coloration, and cognition. Integrates computational methods with biological observations to study animal decision-making and sensory systems.

Labs/Teams:
He leads the Heathcote Group, comprising graduate students like Anna Ahlberg and postdoctoral researchers such as Dr. Katie Dunkley. This group collaborates on projects analyzing animal behavior through innovative experimental and technological methods.

Scientific Recognition:

• Royal Society University Research Fellow (prestigious early-career award supporting independent research)

Advising & Collaboration:
Supervises graduate student Anna Ahlberg and mentors Dr. Katie Dunkley, a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Research outputs bridge ecology, robotics, and cognitive science.