• ERC funded research position with Prof Nicola Clayton investigating cognition comparatively in corvids and humans: 10 publications (publications 6, 9, 14-17, 19-22)

• Designed and conducted research studies in line with the ERC proposal on causal reasoning, including highlighting the impact of prior reward-stimulus associations on corvid, though not child, performance.

• Enhanced level of project research output by leading studies on new research lines. These novel comparative studies included: investigating how self-control underpins cognitive performance, social learning of tool-use behaviours, and flexibility in planning and decision-making.

• Teaching: Prepared for and delivered lectures on Undergraduate Animal Cognition courses and supervised related practical sessions.

• Supervision, lab management and administration: Significantly contributed to performance of lab and productive outcomes through: supervision/co-supervision of PhD and BSc-level students & Junior Researchers/ Assistants, ERC grant administration, HR matters e.g. leading six staff recruitment appointments, taking on lab management responsibilities for corvid lab including administration, staff training and liaison role, ensuring compliance with animal regulations such as obtaining Home Office Personal License, and providing stability of lab research by leading hand-rearing & training of 16 Eurasian jays for new research group.

• Presented research at conferences, meetings, through media outlets, and public engagement at various schools and nurseries in South of England.

• Continued to maintain academic connections and promote professional collaborations, including with Auckland and Vienna Universities.

March 2012-February 2016

PhD in Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Austria

• Vienna Science & Technology Fund (3-year) funded position with Prof Thomas Bugnyar & Dr Christine Schwab: thesis on the role of identity, social context and development on corvid behaviour; 6 publications

  (publications 10-13, 18, 23). Awarded 1st Class for PhD Viva.

• Leading own research, including literature review, research design, obtaining ethical approval, data collection (wild & captive birds), bird training, ringing wild crows, hand-rearing 22 common ravens & carrion crows and bird care, video coding, data analysis using R and SPSS, and manuscript preparation. Presented this research at conferences.

• Collaborating with colleagues, both in & outside University, for additional wild crow studies, including co-supervision of five MSc and BSc-level students.

• Teaching practical courses for Undergraduates.

September-November 2011

Research Assistant in Psychology, Auckland University, New Zealand

With Prof Russell Gray & Dr Alexander Taylor: cognition experiments with New Caledonian crows in New Caledonia (publications 2, 4, 5, 8).

June 2004-August 2011 (part-time 2004-2008 during Undergraduate degree)

Avian Research Coordinator, Qualified Animal Keeper, Animal Trainer
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Edinburgh Zoo, UK