Moving pictures

I've had the fortune to feature in a couple of videos recently. The first was for one of the "Countdown to COP26" videos that the School of Biological Sciences here at Aberdeen made to build up to the COP26 meeting in Glasgow I talk about what I do at the department, how my work links … Continue reading Moving pictures →

Emma joins the lab

Emma Bleakley has recently joined the lab as a distance PhD student. Her project is "Social Networks Across the Tree of Life", and will involve the analysis of social data across a range of taxa. In this post Emma gives a little insight into the path she followed before joining EEL. As the newest member … Continue reading Emma joins the lab →

Canadian Entomology, Ecology and Evolution webinar

Recently I gave an online talk about some of my research for the Canadian Entomology, Ecology and Evolution seminar series. I spoke about my work on the social spider Anelosius eximius in Ecuador with James L. L. Lichtenstein and others. I cover work from two papers, the first estimating selection on collective prey attack for … Continue reading Canadian Entomology, Ecology and Evolution webinar →

Virtual seminar at Bielefeld University

Recently, I was invited by my good friend, and ace ecologist, Dr. Sarah Paul to give a virtual seminar for Bielefeld University. This was part of the NC³ (Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction) seminar series "Individualisation in Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution" It was lovely to be invited, and I really enjoyed talking about my … Continue reading Virtual seminar at Bielefeld University →

Interview by Philip Neilson

I have just been lucky enough to be interviewed by Philip Neilson, a student at the University of Aberdeen, ahead of my department seminar here. Philip conducted a really great interview, he had read several of my papers, and asked really good and insightful questions. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am very pleased to be … Continue reading Interview by Philip Neilson →

An indirect origin

This post is about what indirect genetic effects are, and where they came from. It's about an interesting evolutionary process, and a bit of sleuthing into the depths of a library to find a dusty old book. A direct genetic effect is what you think of when the classic "nature vs nurture" debate comes up. … Continue reading An indirect origin →

The accepted order of things

We strive, but unfortunately humans are not perfect. Some are further than others, the odd person gets quite close, on a good day, but ultimately we all have our flaws and foibles. For instance, we like to think we are good, rational beings, capable of judging the evidence presented to us and making the most … Continue reading The accepted order of things →

Squirrel camp and the northern lights

In the beginning there were three ecologists (one tall, one medium height, one short). In the boreal forest. Before that there were squirrels and lynx and bears and other such creatures, but as they cannot hold pens to write their stories down we can hardly start with them, so we will start with the three … Continue reading Squirrel camp and the northern lights →

Woah, bear!

Online bear-awareness courses are a bit of a laugh. See a bear? Try to ascertain the species, whether it has seen you or not, and it if is behaving aggressively or defensively. Presumably while praying that you did leave your family pack of Snickers back home. And not in your ruck-sack. Oh dear… At least … Continue reading Woah, bear! →

The Wager

And so a deal is struck. Emily, 178cm, American, will take on Untumak, 160cm, from Kyrgyzstan, in a horse race. Untumak will provide the horses, Emily will chose the course. Being the away side perhaps Emily is at a disadvantage, but being a cowgirl from California and boldly proclaiming that she can ride anything with … Continue reading The Wager →