Our research
Our research addresses both fundamental questions about how and why animals do what they do, as well as applied questions relevant to subjects such as the conservation and welfare of animals. Our research is highly interdisciplinary, including insights, expertise and methods from molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, neurobiology and even quantum physics. We work globally, from here to there and beyond, using both laboratory and field-based techniques to study a broad range of topics.
Topics we study
Our research topics include:
- animal behaviour and ecology
- navigation and migration
- the energetics and biomechanics of animal movement
- reproductive physiology
- animal personality
- animal social behaviour
- the molecular basis of circadian rhythms
- the hormonal control of ecdysis in crustaceans
We also work on applied questions such as the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on animals: for example, the metabolic and physiological responses to environmental change in marine organisms; the effect of ecotourism and habitat change on stress and reproductive function in primates; the effect of noise on animal signalling and navigation behaviour; and, the evolutionary impact of invasive species.
Meet the team
Recent Publications
A selection of recent publications from BEPS researchers is listed here, but for all the latest publications, please check individual researcher pages linked above.
- A continuous feast of bramble: Rubus fruticosus agg. is a key cross-seasonal dietary resource for a fallow deer population Gresham, A., Pillay, K., Healey, J., Eichhorn, M., Ellison, A., Lowe, A., Cordes, L., Creer, S. & Shannon, G., 2025, Ecological Solutions and Evidence. 6, 1
- Wood trait-decay relationships vary with topography and rainfall seasonality in a subtropical forest in China Wu, D., Chen, Y., Ellwood, M. D. F., Shao, Z., Wang, Y., H. C. Cornelissen, J. & Chu, C., 2025, Journal of Ecology. 113, 3, p. 763-777
- Knowledge transmission, culture and the consequences of social disruption in wild elephants Bates, L., Fishlock, V. L., Plotnik, J., de Silva, S. & Shannon, G., 2025, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 380, 1925, 20240132
- Adjustable wind selectivity in shearwaters implies knowledge of the foraging landscape Harris, S., Bishop, C. M., Bond, S., Fernandes, P. G., Guilford, T., Lewin, P. J., Padget, O., Robins, P., Schneider, W., Waggitt, J., Wilmes, S.-B. & Cordes, L., 2025, Current Biology
- Meta-analysis reveals that phenotypic plasticity and divergent selection promote reproductive isolation during incipient speciation Jarrett, B. J. M., Downing, P. A. & Svensson, E. I., 2025, Nature Ecology and Evolution. 9, p. 883-844
- A Newly Discovered Symbiotic Relationship Between Giant Cowbirds (Molothrus oryzivorus) and South American Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in Suriname Backshall, S., Dunn, C. & Mainwaring, M. C., 2025, Austral Ecology. 50, 1, e70020
- Dynamics of X chromosome hyper-expression and inactivation in male tissues during stick insect development Djordjevic, J., Tran Van, P., Toubiana, W., Labédan, M., Dumas, Z., Aury, J.-M., Cruaud, C., Istace, B., Labadie, K., Noel, B., Parker, D. J. & Schwander, T., 2025, PLoS Genetics. 21, 3, p. e1011615
- Elevating local perspectives for equity in ecological research. de Angeli Dutra, D., Erikson, A., Genes, L., Dirzo, R. & Venturini, A. M., 2025, Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 40, 5, p. 415-418
Opportunities
Behaviour, Ecology, and Physiology researchers supervise PhD researchers through the Envision Doctoral Training Partnership, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
If you are interested in completing postgraduate research (MRes or PhD) with us, whether through Envision or an alternative route, please contact individual staff members to discuss.