Dr Kat Jones
(Anne McLaren fellow, 2010 - 2011)Kat
left us in September 2011 to take up a lectureship in Bangor. Here is
how she described her research interests during her time with us:Research
Interests
I am a behavioural ecologist specialising in predator-prey
interactions. I am interested in all questions that aim to understand how prey
avoid predation and how predators overcome prey defences. Recent questions I
have tackled include “how do chaffinches respond to different types of predator
when foraging?” and “are escape response delays in fish related to
personality?” I work on a variety of taxa, but am particularly familiar
with birds and fish. My published work tends to utilise laboratory experiments,
but my inspiration always comes from the field. I aim to empirically test the
models generated by theoreticians more mathematically gifted than myself, often
finding animals don’t behave as predicted! I’ve worked all round the world and
am always open to collaboration whether via e-mail or travelling further
afield. As
well as my research interests I am very keen on promoting ecological
education. I have taught MSc students out in Nigeria, Open University
summer school students and visited primary schools in Scotland. I also
provide “early career” representation on the British Ecological Society education committee (which aims to promote ecology in the classroom). PublicationsSee group publications.
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