Sean Rands
@seanrands.bsky.social
Behavioural ecologist @ University of Bristol, interested in the rules and mechanisms of behavioural/ecological interactions in a whole host of different systems. Easily distracted.
webby stuff: www.seanrands.com
webby stuff: www.seanrands.com
Reposted by Sean Rands
Out today!
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
December 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Out today!
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
This story highlights a really interesting bit of interdisciplinary science, picking apart an ancient pollination syndrome with some compelling new experimental evidence.
New research of strange “cycad” plants offers a glimpse into the prehistoric origins of pollination
Before Flowers Existed, Ancient Cycad Plants Lured Insects With Heat
New research of strange “cycad” plants offers a glimpse into the prehistoric origins of pollination
www.scientificamerican.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:36 PM
This story highlights a really interesting bit of interdisciplinary science, picking apart an ancient pollination syndrome with some compelling new experimental evidence.
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
Fully funded #PhD studentships, start Sept 2026:
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
Reposted by Sean Rands
Fully funded #PhD studentships, start Sept 2026:
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Fully funded #PhD studentships, start Sept 2026:
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Rands
🏆 Celebrating outstanding contributions to zoology and conservation science 🏆
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
December 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
🏆 Celebrating outstanding contributions to zoology and conservation science 🏆
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
Reposted by Sean Rands
Honoured & humbled to receive a #Nature #Award for #Mentoring in #Science yesterday. ☺️
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
December 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Honoured & humbled to receive a #Nature #Award for #Mentoring in #Science yesterday. ☺️
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
Reposted by Sean Rands
blown away by this, given the names of previous winners - recent and not so recent - hugely grateful to @zslofficial.bsky.social, and all the many students, postgrads, postdocs and collaborators who have helped make the last 14 years so fun and exciting
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
The ZSL Scientific Medal is also awarded to Professor Stephen Montgomery, @bristolbiosci.bsky.social whose research has provided insights into the relationships between ecological niche specialisation, brain structure, and cognitive function 🏅 @ebablab.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
blown away by this, given the names of previous winners - recent and not so recent - hugely grateful to @zslofficial.bsky.social, and all the many students, postgrads, postdocs and collaborators who have helped make the last 14 years so fun and exciting
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Reposted by Sean Rands
I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant to work on ant nest architecture over the next 5 year!🐜🏛️
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
December 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant to work on ant nest architecture over the next 5 year!🐜🏛️
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
Reposted by Sean Rands
In an interview with BBC News, Sir Paul Nurse PRS says that visa restrictions are endangering the UK economy: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
Prof Sir Paul Nurse says the UK is
www.bbc.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:20 AM
In an interview with BBC News, Sir Paul Nurse PRS says that visa restrictions are endangering the UK economy: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Congratulations to Ed Drewitt on this latest publication from his PhD; this one is on parental provisioning of urban-breeding Peregrine Falcons :) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Parental Provisioning in an Urban Apex Predator
We combine high-definition webcams and citizen science to explore parental care in urban peregrine falcons from 30 locations across England between 2020 and 2023. By analysing detailed webcam footage...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Congratulations to Ed Drewitt on this latest publication from his PhD; this one is on parental provisioning of urban-breeding Peregrine Falcons :) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Sean Rands
🚨New #behavioural #mimicry paper out in Proc B!🚨
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Nature’s greatest method actors: the insects that cosplay bumblebees
When you’re an animal undercover, sometimes it’s not enough just to look like someone else
theconversation.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:36 PM
🚨New #behavioural #mimicry paper out in Proc B!🚨
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Reposted by Sean Rands
The perfect Christmas gift for the stats-nerd in your life. www.ecoexplore.co.uk/products/p/d...
Data Analysis for Scientists using R Statistical Software — Eco-Explore
R is a very powerful statistical software package that is free to download and use on your own computer. Our 150-page guidebook is designed to help you quickly to become familiar with R and to ex...
www.ecoexplore.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 1:46 AM
The perfect Christmas gift for the stats-nerd in your life. www.ecoexplore.co.uk/products/p/d...
Today's view from the office.
December 3, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Today's view from the office.
Reposted by Sean Rands
👋to @josharbon.bsky.social who has completed a truly outstanding #NERC-funded postdoc investigating #pre-emptive #behaviour in relation to #intergroup #conflict 👏
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
December 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
👋to @josharbon.bsky.social who has completed a truly outstanding #NERC-funded postdoc investigating #pre-emptive #behaviour in relation to #intergroup #conflict 👏
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
Reposted by Sean Rands
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is looking for a manager for their seabird recovery programme. www.wildlifetrusts.org/jobs/project...
December 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is looking for a manager for their seabird recovery programme. www.wildlifetrusts.org/jobs/project...
Reposted by Sean Rands
We hope everyone is getting excited for #ASABWinter2025 !
To kick off the conference on Dec 15, we will be having a public lecture by Prof. Innes Cuthill about an interdisciplinary approach to the study of camouflage. So make sure you’re not late ⏰
To kick off the conference on Dec 15, we will be having a public lecture by Prof. Innes Cuthill about an interdisciplinary approach to the study of camouflage. So make sure you’re not late ⏰
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
We hope everyone is getting excited for #ASABWinter2025 !
To kick off the conference on Dec 15, we will be having a public lecture by Prof. Innes Cuthill about an interdisciplinary approach to the study of camouflage. So make sure you’re not late ⏰
To kick off the conference on Dec 15, we will be having a public lecture by Prof. Innes Cuthill about an interdisciplinary approach to the study of camouflage. So make sure you’re not late ⏰
Reposted by Sean Rands
Congrats Dr Arthur Yambayamba for passing his PhD with flying colours🍾
Arthur's thesis explores how climate & competition shape the structure of miombo woodlands. Check out some of the work here:
1) shorturl.at/aTVb7
2) shorturl.at/fD42Y
Thanks to Casey Ryan & @mdekauwe.bsky.social for examining!
Arthur's thesis explores how climate & competition shape the structure of miombo woodlands. Check out some of the work here:
1) shorturl.at/aTVb7
2) shorturl.at/fD42Y
Thanks to Casey Ryan & @mdekauwe.bsky.social for examining!
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Congrats Dr Arthur Yambayamba for passing his PhD with flying colours🍾
Arthur's thesis explores how climate & competition shape the structure of miombo woodlands. Check out some of the work here:
1) shorturl.at/aTVb7
2) shorturl.at/fD42Y
Thanks to Casey Ryan & @mdekauwe.bsky.social for examining!
Arthur's thesis explores how climate & competition shape the structure of miombo woodlands. Check out some of the work here:
1) shorturl.at/aTVb7
2) shorturl.at/fD42Y
Thanks to Casey Ryan & @mdekauwe.bsky.social for examining!
Reposted by Sean Rands
🧵1/9 There are 35,000+ fish species, but we have formal social-behaviour classifications for a tiny fraction. Most knowledge lives in the experience of researchers, fishers, divers, aquarists, naturalists, and Indigenous communities, but almost none of it is centralised. So we built ShoalBase.org.
ShoalBase | Join, Explore, Contribute Now
ShoalBase offers a global database on fish social behaviour, supporting research, conservation, and ecology through community contributions and visual data mapping.
ShoalBase.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:11 PM
🧵1/9 There are 35,000+ fish species, but we have formal social-behaviour classifications for a tiny fraction. Most knowledge lives in the experience of researchers, fishers, divers, aquarists, naturalists, and Indigenous communities, but almost none of it is centralised. So we built ShoalBase.org.
Conference runs 23rd-25th March (NOT in April, as currently stated on website). Full conference website and details coming very soon...
@asab.org Spring, aimed at ECRs, is coming to Bristol!
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Conference runs 23rd-25th March (NOT in April, as currently stated on website). Full conference website and details coming very soon...
Reposted by Sean Rands
@asab.org Spring, aimed at ECRs, is coming to Bristol!
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
November 24, 2025 at 9:14 PM
@asab.org Spring, aimed at ECRs, is coming to Bristol!
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
Conference grant DEADLINE for Developing Country Applicants (<£2500) or anyone needing an early decision for visas (<£750) is in ONE WEEK, 1st December.
www.asab.org/conference-g...
Referee statement also needed by then! 🐝🐜🦟🦂🐠🐟🐬🦎🐸🦆🐿️🦓
Reposted by Sean Rands
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
November 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
Reposted by Sean Rands
A lot has happened since our first announcement of #ExE2026, an evolutionary ecology conference hosted by @uniexecec.bsky.social in #Cornwall from June 29 to July 3 2026.
Have a look at our new website to see our confirmed plenary speakers, the mid-conference excursions, and more.
👉 evoxeco.uk 👈
Have a look at our new website to see our confirmed plenary speakers, the mid-conference excursions, and more.
👉 evoxeco.uk 👈
November 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A lot has happened since our first announcement of #ExE2026, an evolutionary ecology conference hosted by @uniexecec.bsky.social in #Cornwall from June 29 to July 3 2026.
Have a look at our new website to see our confirmed plenary speakers, the mid-conference excursions, and more.
👉 evoxeco.uk 👈
Have a look at our new website to see our confirmed plenary speakers, the mid-conference excursions, and more.
👉 evoxeco.uk 👈
Reposted by Sean Rands
🚨RA/PhD position available in evolutionary neurobiology 🚨
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
November 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🚨RA/PhD position available in evolutionary neurobiology 🚨
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Rafflesia hasseltii: a plant seen more by tigers than people. Watching this flower open by night was the closest thing to magic:
November 19, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Rafflesia hasseltii: a plant seen more by tigers than people. Watching this flower open by night was the closest thing to magic:
Reposted by Sean Rands
A rare glimpse inside the largest flower on earth, seen today in the Sumatran jungle:
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 AM
A rare glimpse inside the largest flower on earth, seen today in the Sumatran jungle: