Biography
I’m currently Head of the Psychology Division and a member of the Evolutionary and Biological Approaches to Behaviour Research Group.
I have over 10 years’ experience as a lecturer and researcher within Universities in the UK, completing my Ph.D. in comparative psychology at Stirling University before going on to teach at the University of Liverpool. I joined Abertay is 2007 and currently teach modules in biological psychology, evolutionary psychology and biological influences on behaviour in humans and non-humans.
My research focuses on evolutionary and comparative psychology, particularly the role of individual differences (life-history variables and experiences) in understanding of the physical and social world by human and non-human animals, mechanisms used in humans and non-humans in social bonding, understanding how evolutionary changes in neuro-anatomy underpin species differences in physical and social cognition and the influence of biological mechanisms on social behaviour and cognition in humans and non-humans. I currently hold a research grant from the Leverhulme Trust to investigate how experiences and life-history variables influence understanding of the physical world in non-human primates (gibbons).
Other projects include:
Social bonding strategies in humans: Investigating the potential fitness benefits associated with social partnerships and belonging to particular social groups. Current research, conducted with faculty and student collaborators, looks at how life history variables such as gender, family size and education level influence social bonding strategies in humans and how specific activities (such as cooperation or synchrony) affect feelings of emotional closeness, and how bonds between peers or between human and non-human animals can moderate health and wellbeing.
Social cognition in domestic dogs: I have published research with student collaborators that demonstrated an effect of familiarity on dogs’ ability to follow human-given social cues. I am also interested in how genes associated with prosocial behaviours may influence bond
formation between dog and human that could have significant implications for dogs selected as service animals.
Social Brain Hypothesis and social complexity: Using comparative approaches to explain how evolutionary trends in brain development and cognitive processing impact behaviour in the physical and social domain.
I currently supervise post-graduate students (Ph.D. and MbR) and undergraduate final year dissertations of students working on projects aligned to these research areas.
During my time as Head of Division, I have become involved in promoting gender equality in academic institutions and Chair the School of Social and Health Sciences Athena Swan Self Assessment Team (SAT) and sit on the University SAT. I am also a Lead Voice for Gender Equality at Abertay.
I have previously been Editor of the Journal of Animal Behaviour and Treasurer for the Primate Society of Great Britain.
I hold a PhD in Comparative Psychology from the University of Stirling, and undergraduate degrees in Zoology, and Animal Behaviour and Welfare.
