Dr Andrew King

Research Highlights

1. King, A., Portugal, S., Strömbom, D., Mann, R., Carrillo, J., Kalise, D., Croon, G., Barnett, H., Scerri, P., Groß, R., Chadwick, D., & Papadopoulou, M. (2023). Biologically inspired herding of animal groups by robots. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 0

   https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210x.14049, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62182
2. Jarvis, D., Pope, E., Duteil, M., Furtbauer, I., Brown, R., Davis, R., & King, A. (2022). Elevated CO does not alter behavioural lateralization in free‐swimming juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax ) tested in groups. Journal of Fish Biology, 101(5), 1361-1365.

   https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15180, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61446

   http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15180
3. King, A. & Marshall, H. (2022). Optimal foraging. Current Biology, 32(12), R680-R683.

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.072, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60284
4. Bracken, A., Christensen, C., O'Riain, M., Fuertbauer, I., & King, A. (2022). Flexible group cohesion and coordination, but robust leader–follower roles, in a wild social primate using urban space. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 289(1967)

   https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.2141, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59276
5. Christensen, C., Bracken, A., O'Riain, M., Heistermann, M., King, A., & Fuertbauer, I. (2022). Simultaneous investigation of urinary and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations reveals short- versus long-term drivers of HPA-axis activity in a wild primate (Papio ursinus). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 318, 113985

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.113985, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59275

All Research

• Untitled (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Miguel Lurgi Rivera

• Intra- and inter-specific cortisol coregulation (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Ines Fuertbauer

• Testing comparative predictions of primate natal coat function hypotheses using continuous coat conspicuousness quantification (current)

  MRes

  Other supervisor: Dr William Allen

• BIO108 Evolution and Genetics

  ¿Nothing in Biology makes sense except in the light of evolution¿ was the title of a 1973 essay by the evolutionary biologist Theodosius Dobzhansky. The module links fundamental understanding of molecular biology and genetics to a broader appreciation of evolution and how it shapes the natural world around us.

• BIO114 Animal Diversity and Behaviour

  This 20 credit module is divided into two sections and broadly introduces students to the diversity of animal groups, and the study of animal behaviour. The first 12 lectures will consider the taxonomy and physiology of organisms within the animal kingdom, and will provide students with a broad understanding of all animal life, from single celled protozoa through to megafauna such as the blue whale and concluding with human evolution. The following 10 lectures will consider the evolutionary pressures that drive animal behaviour and give rise to the behavioural adaptations witnessed across the animal kingdom today, from learning and cultural transmission, to anti-predatory mechanisms and migration. The section is concluded with a lecture on human behaviour, determining how we are influenced by the same set of natural regulations that govern our wild counterparts. During this module, students will develop their understanding of animal classification, interrelationships and evolution, and will gain valuable practical experience of animal biology. A sister module, BIO114C, will provide the same content but delivered via the medium of Welsh.

• BIO355 Animal behaviour - from individuals to groups

  The module will showcase the latest developments in the field of animal behaviour, first describing how and why individuals within the same species or populations often behave in consistently different ways (i.e. show personality). Second, we will explain how individual variation in behaviour can shape patterns of behaviour shown by groups of animals (i.e. collective behaviour). Throughout the module, we will use recent research as examples ¿ on insects, fish, birds and mammals (including humans) ¿ to enable students to understand key concepts and then directly apply this knowledge during research-led practical sessions. The module adopts an inclusive and integrated teaching style and will suit students who enjoy interactive teaching (e.g. discussion, group activities).

• BIZ300 Collective Animal Behaviour

  Animal groups frequently exhibit complex and coordinated behaviours that result from social interactions among individuals. Research in collective animal behaviour attempts to understand the causes, patterns and consequences of these behaviours. This module will showcase the latest developments in the field of collective animal behaviour, first describing the fundamental processes that lead to collective behaviour. We will then working through empirical examples - from insects, fish, birds and mammals (including humans) to elucidate the fundamental principles that underlie collective behaviour across levels of biological organization.

Andrew has delivered >50 invited scientific talks worldwide. He is an enthusiastic communicator to audiences across TV, Radio, and Online, and is an innovative and engaging speaker at Science Festivals and Education Events.

He acts as a consultant to Government Organisations related to conservation conflicts, and delivers bespoke workshops and seminars providing an evolutionary perspective on leadership and teamwork to the corporate sector.

To find out if Andrew is available to speak at your event or for press work, please send an inquiry by email

Links to selected talks and press stories:

• TEDx Talk "simple, selfish, and hung-over"
• New York Times - wild dog research
• Time Magazine - sheepdog research
• The Economist - human teams research
• Scientific American - leadership research
• The Conversation - robot herding research
• IOL - human-baboon conflict research