Dr. Stephanie King
Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol, UK
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I'm behavioural biologist with a primary focus on animal communication systems and how these systems have evolved to help mediate complex social behaviours. To date, much of my research has focused on the temporal and social aspects of vocal interactions in bottlenose dolphins, and their use of individually distinctive signature whistles. I have over a decade's worth of experience studying marine mammal acoustic communication, as well as extensive experience in assessing the consequences of anthropogenic noise disturbance on marine mammal populations. My current research interests lie with exploring the role vocal communication plays in mediating complex social behaviours, such as cooperation, in animal systems. I continue to use bottlenose dolphins as a model system, with the aim of understanding how dynamic social environments may influence and shape the communicative strategies that animals employ when making decisions of when and with whom to cooperate. I am a PI of the Shark Bay Dolphin Research alongside Prof Richard Connor, Prof Michael Krützen and Dr Simon Allen. Please visit our website www.sharkbaydolphins.org to find out more about the research currently underway in Shark Bay. |
PhD Candidates
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Kathryn Holmes PhD Candidate, University of Western Australia Katy completed her MSc at the University of St Andrews. For her PhD Katy is investigating the ontogeny of alliance formation in the Shark Bay dolphin population. She is focusing on the development of vocal and physical behaviours that mediate social bonds, and investigating how social development during the juvenile period shapes the formation of these alliances and affects the future social roles and fitness of individual males. Follow Katy on Twitter for project updates @KathrynGHolmes1 Pernille Meyer Sørensen PhD Candidate, University of Bristol Pernille completed her MSc at Aarhus University. For her PhD Pernille is investigating how habitat configuration may influence the evolution of communication systems and cooperative behaviour. She is measuring ambient noise, sound propagation and source levels of dolphin vocalisations in Shark Bay to understand how spatio-temporal variations in detection range across habitat types affects alliance behaviour and mating success. Follow Pernille on Twitter for project updates @PernilleMS |
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Laura Palmer
PhD Candidate, University of Bristol Laura completed her MSc at the University of St Andrews. For her PhD Laura is investigating movement behaviour of bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay, Wales to inform their conservation and management. She is focusing on tracking individuals using their unique signature whistles and understanding how space-use is mediated by natural (e.g. intra-specific interactions) and anthropogenic drivers (e.g. noise). Laura is funded by a NERC GW4+ DTP studentship with support from Natural Resources Wales and the Ministry of Defence. Follow Laura on Twitter for project updates @_laurapalmer93 |
MSc Students
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Rufus Sowerbutts M.Sc. Candidate, University of Bristol Rufus graduated from University of Bristol with a BSc in Biology. For his Master’s thesis, Rufus will be exploring the social and ecological drivers of signature whistle complexity. Emma Chereskin M.Sc. Candidate, University of Bristol Emma graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Zoology. For her Master's thesis, Emma will be examining keystone individuals' roles in information distribution in male bottlenose dolphin alliances. Follow Emma on Twitter for project updates @EmmaChereskin Natalie Klepacova M.Sc. Candidate, University of Bristol Natalie graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc in Biology. For her Master's thesis, Natalie will be exploring the long-term effects of extreme climatic events on the behavioural activity of Shark Bay's iconic dolphin population. Follow Natalie on Twitter for project updates @NatKlepacova |
Group Alumni
Bronte Moore
MSc University of Western Australia For her Master's thesis Bronte investigated whether synchronous vocal displays in allied male dolphins were indicative of the strength of male relationships. |
