Research interests

My work spans the fields of evolutionary biology and behavioural ecology, with particular focus upon the evolution of social behaviour. My research uses recent advances in molecular and statistical techniques, in combination with behavioural data, to assign parentage to animals, establish the relatedness and kinship of individuals, describe the social structure of groups and quantify the heritability of traits.

My previous research focused on how mating systems influence the evolution of delayed dispersal and how relatedness and reproductive skew vary within social groups. On a finer scale, I examined variation in individual breeding success, specifically looking into reproductive restraint, senescence, cooperative breeding and mate choice. I have also conducted research into how social interactions, such as directed aggression and allogrooming, relate to breeding success.

I am currently investigating the fitness consequences of mate choice and life-history decisions, in a cooperatively breeding species. As part of this project I aim to examine whether the behaviours observed in this species, along with life-history parameters, have heritable components. This will enable greater understanding of the adaptive basis of reproductive decisions.

 
Current opportunities for graduate study

Professor Terry Burke and I invite applicants for our PhD project on 'Personalities and fitness in the Seychelles warbler', commencing October 2012. This is part of the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences' NERC graduate studentship competition. To apply, click here. Deadline = 31st January 2012.