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Department of Anthropology

Research Opportunities for Postgraduates

The Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group at Durham University undertakes research in the areas of primate/human evolution and adaptation, behavioural ecology, conservation biology, cultural evolution and evolutionary psychology. We are seeking high quality candidates to apply for Durham Doctoral Fellowships and research council studentships to join our growing postgraduate community. Current and planned projects include:

Projects in Primatology

  • Colour signalling and sexual selection in primates. Contact Professor Robert Barton or Dr. Joanna Setchell for details.
  • Cycle synchrony in human and non-human primates. Contact Dr. Joanna Setchell for details.
  • Diet and foraging ecology in non-human primates. Contact Professor Robert Barton for details.
  • Olfactory communication in primates. Contact Dr. Joanna Setchell for details.   
  • Natural contraception in chimpanzees. Contact Dr. Joanna Setchell for details.
  • Assessing validity of putative traditions seen in the wild using captive groups of primates an/or developing simulations of asocial and social learning based on parameters collected in the field. Contact Dr. Rachel Kendal for details.
  • Investigating the influence of the menstrual cycle on, human and non-human, primate cognition. Contact Dr. Rachel Kendal for details.
  • Predator-prey dynamics using leopards and terrestrial primates as a model system. Contact Dr. Russell Hill for details.
  • Behavioural ecology of South African primates (baboons, vervet monkeys and samango monkeys). Contact Dr. Russell Hill for details.

Projects in Behavioural Ecology and Conservation

  • Carnivore-human conflict in southern Africa. Contact Dr. Russell Hill for details.
  • Conservation and human wildlife conflict in Central Africa. Contact Dr. Joanna Setchell for details.

Projects in Morphology

  • Reconstructing human population histories and dispersals using geometric morphometric analyses of human and animal bones and teeth. Contact Dr. Una Strand Vidarsdottir for details.
  • Comparative growth allometries as a tool for understanding evolutionary histories and intra-specific plasticity. Contact Dr. Una Strand Vidarsdottir for details. 
  • Correlations between the ontogeny of hard and soft tissues. Contact Dr. Una Strand Vidarsdottir for details.
  • Three-dimensional analyses of modern human skeletal variation. Contact Dr. Una Strand Vidarsdottir for details.

Projects in Cultural Evolution

  • Cultural traditions in sport. Contact Dr. Jamie Tehrani or Dr. Jeremy Kendal for details.
  • Fashion versus reason in modern science. Contact Dr. Alex Bentley for details.
  • Copying and drift in popular culture. Contact Dr. Alex Bentley for details.
  • Assessing evidence for cumulative culture in captive primates. Contact Dr. Rachel Kendal for details.
  • Comparing pathways of genetic and cultural transmission in specialised artisan communities of rural China. Contact Professor Robert Layton for details.
  • The role of sexual selection in the evolution of tattoo, scarification and other body arts. Contact Dr. Jamie Tehrani for details.
  • Investigating cognitive biases in the evolution of art. Contact Dr. Jamie Tehrani for details.
  • Social Norms - examine the cultural evolution of strategies used to play games, including prisoner's dilemma. Contact Dr. Jeremy Kendal for details.
  • Virtual transmission chain experiments - testing various aspects of cultural evolutionary theory using human volunteers. Contact Dr. Jeremy Kendal for details.
  • Investigating the coevolution of disease and cultural traits (e.g. medical treatments) using virtual lab experiments and mathematical and simulation modelling. Contact Dr. Jeremy Kendal for details.
  • Population history and knitting traditions in fishing villages along the North East coast of England. Contact Dr. Malcolm Smith for details.
  • Social networks and the transmission of consumer behaviour: a case study of a community in County Durham. Contact Dr. Alex Bentley for details.

Projects in Cognitive Evolution

  • Determinants of aggressive contests and contest outcomes in humans, with particular reference to the effects of colour. Contact Professor Robert Barton or Dr. Russell Hill for details.
  • Mammalian brain evolution and ecology: a comparative phylogenetic analysis. Contact Professor Robert Barton for details.
  • The evolutionary psychology of fairy tales and folk narrative. Contact Dr. Jamie Tehrani for details. 
  • Investigating social learning strategies in zoo-housed primates. Contact Dr. Rachel Kendal for details.

In addition to the above, we welcome proposals to carry out research into other areas of interest to the EARG, and recommend getting in touch with the relevant member of staff. Further details on potential supervisors are available on the EARG website.

Candidates should have at least a good undergraduate degree (and preferably a Masters degree) in a related subject. We encourage students wishing to apply for Durham Doctoral Fellowships to submit their applications by the beginning of February. It should also be noted that Research Council deadlines approach soon after this period. Further information on the application process can be obtained. Candidates completing their first degree should initially consider applying for our MSc in Evolutionary Anthropology.