Timothy H. Parker

Timothy H. Parker is a Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Whitman College, where he has served since 2008, including as Chair of the Biology Department (2014-2016, 2017-2019, 2020-present). His research spans evolutionary biology, ecology, and metascience, with a focus on animal behavior, cultural evolution in birdsong, and improving research reliability through open science initiatives.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biology, University of New Mexico (2002)
• M.S. in Biology, Kansas State University (1997)
• B.A. in International Development, Clark University (1992)

His work on bird vocalizations and cultural evolution includes long-term studies of dickcissel song sharing across habitats. He has also published extensively on grassland dynamics and climate change impacts on plant communities. A leader in metascience, Parker co-founded SORTEE (Society for Open, Reliable, and Transparent Ecology and Evolutionary biology) and EcoEvoRxiv, advocating for preregistration, registered reports, and bias reduction in scientific practices.

Scientific Awards:

• NSF International Research Fellowship (2003-2005)

Parker has guided numerous undergraduate researchers and collaborates widely on interdisciplinary projects. His current initiatives focus on demographic responses to climate in semi-arid grasslands, cultural evolution in birdsong, and institutional reforms to enhance scientific transparency.