Research
Research Interests
My research aims to explain diversity in animal reproductive traits, with emphasis on mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of sperm competition and sexual selection, particularly in mammals. I also have broad interests in the fields of behavioural and evolutionary ecology relating to reproductive strategies, life history evolution and social behaviour. Current projects include experimental and comparative studies of social competition and sexual selection. Multidisciplinary collaborations apply molecular and proteomics techniques to address evolutionary questions within these areas. I also collaborate with project partners on applied conservation problems.
Research grants
CASE Studentship: Quantifying ecological impacts and long-term sustainability of The Cheshire Beaver Project
CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST (UK)
October 2021 - March 2025
Evaluating a new approach to monitor the behaviour and welfare of zoo animals
CHESTER ZOO (UK), INNOVATE UK (UK)
December 2022 - February 2023
How is behaviour constrained within typical sex roles?
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2020 - January 2024
Alice Clark Case award
CHESTER ZOO (UK)
October 2019 - June 2023
Case award for Emma Cartledge
CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST (UK)
October 2018 - March 2023
Female kin as allies and adversaries under social competition
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
March 2015 - December 2018
A proteomics approach to quantify adaptive variation in mammalian ejaculates
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2012 - December 2014
BBSRC CASE award with GENUS PLC
GENUS PLC (UK)
October 2010 - September 2014
The decision to cooperate: kin recognition mechanisms in female house mice
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
March 2010 - March 2014
Sperm competition and adaptive variation in mammalian ejaculates.
LEVERHULME TRUST (UK)
October 2006 - October 2009
MUPs, MHC and mate choice in house mice.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
May 2004 - April 2008
Risk factors for EID of domestic animals
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (UK)
October 2006 - September 2008
Life history correlates of paternal care.
ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)
July 2005 - August 2005
Evolution of paternal care in mammals: exploring plasticity of behaviour in relation to predicted costs and benefits.
ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)
June 2005 - May 2006
Automatic monitoring and control of small mammals in large and complex spaces.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2003 - April 2006
Exploiting Genomic Information: Strategies for Cross-Species Identification in Proteomics.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2002 - September 2005
Rapid imaging, capture and measurement of rodent urinary scent marks for behavioural analysis.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2001 - December 2001
Research collaborations
People's Trust for Endangered Species
Research collaboration
Genus
CASE PhD studentship
Chester Zoo
CASE PhD studentships
Cheshire Wildlife Trust
CASE PhD studentships