Animal Behaviour Research Group

Studying why and how animals behave the way they do, and the implications for welfare and conservation
Anemone 
We are interested in the function, mechanism, development and evolution of behaviour, working with a variety of species both in the laboratory and in the field.
Our work covers both how you can apply an understanding of behaviour to solve problems in applied settings such as agriculture, conservation, welfare and animal management, and also, fundamental research into the underpinning mechanisms functions and evolution of behaviour.
We welcome formal and informal enquiries from prospective postgraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, visiting academics and industry/end-user partners to work with us at Plymouth, information on current projects is within the research themes.
Please contact research group leader Professor Mark Briffa with any queries, or visit our theme pages for specific projects and associated staff for further details.
A common pheasant, or Phasianus colchicus
Animal welfare
Cirl Bunting, or Cirlus Emberiza, sitting on a branch 
Animal communication
European hermit crab (Pagurus bernhardus)
Animal contests
Hands of a fisherman in yellow overalls pulling fishing net from the sea 
Human impact and conservation
Shoal of fish.
Individual to group level behaviour
Sumatran tiger looking into the camera 
Zoo and aquarium research
 
 

Applications of Technology to studying behaviour

Several of the researchers in the group use advanced technological techniques to study animal behaviour. Many of these methods could be applied to a range of different research questions, both fundamental and applied.
Dr Mark Whiteside is currently working on using big data and animal tracking techniques involving GPS collars and accelerometers to analyse animal movement patterns. Dr Alexander Wilson also uses a variety of tracking techniques to follow individuals in the marine environment. Dr Katherine Herborn uses a range of technologies such as thermal imaging to study animal response to stress in the wild and captivity. Both Katherine and Dr Sarah Collins use acoustic techniques to analyse the properties of the sounds that animals make to allow measurement of population differences and welfare.
Screen capture showing example of acoustic analysis

Our group members

Academic staff

Technical staff

  • Senior Technician (Plant Science, Ecology and Animal Behaviour)

Postgraduate students

 
 
 

In tribute