Department of Psychology
Research Groups
Behaviour and Evolution Research
Research on behaviour, development and evolution has been a distinctive feature of the Department for many years, and the group now has six core members. Our research covers a broad range of topics across a wide range of primate species (including humans) and other mammals. We have weekly meetings during semester, with both internal and external speakers.
» View the meeting schedule
Research is conducted off-site through collaborative links with research institutes and zoos elsewhere in the UK and Europe, Japan and the US, and also in field sites in Africa and South America. We are part of the Scottish Primate Research Group. Our research has been funded by a wide variety of sources including the BBSRC, ESRC, the Leverhulme Trust and the European Commission.
We run a taught MSc in Evolution and Behaviour, and welcome PhD applications.
Members of the Behaviour and Evolution Research Group:
Jim Anderson: social behaviour, environmental enrichment, learning and cognition in various species of nonhuman primates.
Hannah Buchanan-Smith: behaviour and ecology, comparative colour vision and welfare in non-human primates.
Christine Caldwell: social learning and cognition in non-human primates and humans.
Phyllis Lee: behavioural development, reproductive strategies, social and life history evolution.
Tony Little: facial attractiveness, mate choice, evolutionary theory.
Sarah Vick: social cognition, visual communication, primarily gaze and facial expressions.
Research Assistants: Cristina Matthews, Kirsten Schillinger
Postgraduate students: Andre Barata, Verity Bowell, Susana Costa, Vicki Fishlock, Jack Griffey, Betsy Herrelko, Michelle Klailova, Louise Lock, Adam Miligan, Blake Morton, Anna Roberts, Lou Tasker, Claire Watson
Honorary Research Fellows: Dr. Kay Farmer, Dr. Katie Fawcett, Dr. Kim Hockings, Dr. Bethan Morgan, , Dr. Liz Williamson
