December 2014 - BERG - University of Stirling Mailing Lists

PhD available in Animal Social Communication and Cognition
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 17 Dec '14

17 Dec '14

Looks like a nice funded PhD opportunity - Hannah From: teaching and research, in animal behaviour [mailto:ANIMAL-BEHAVIOUR@JISCMAIL.AC.UK] On Behalf Of Leanne Proops Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2014 12:37 AM To: ANIMAL-BEHAVIOUR(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK<mailto:ANIMAL-BEHAVIOUR@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> Subject: [ASAB-MAIL] PhD available in Animal Social Communication and Cognition PhD studentship available for 2015 in animal social communication & cognition Emotional signalling in animals: identifying positive affect and its consequences School of Psychology, University of Sussex Supervisor: Prof Karen McComb (University of Sussex) and Dr Leanne Proops (University of Sussex) http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/cmvcr/Home.html Emotional signalling is a crucial but poorly understood aspect of animal social behaviour, mediating important social interactions and contributing to an individual's ability to form social relationships and reproduce successfully. One aspect of emotional signalling in animals that has received surprisingly little attention is the way in which positive emotions are expressed and the consequences of this signalling both for the individual itself and its conspecifics. Displaying positive emotions may contribute to building an individual's own resilience as well as enhancing its ability to form social bonds - a possibility that has not been investigated in animals. Moreover, it is now recognised that animal welfare should be assessed not simply by the absence of negative emotions, but also by the presence of positive ones, so a systematic study of how positive emotions are expressed in a range of species would have considerable applied value. The PhD student would use techniques developed in our lab for quantifying animal facial expressions (and vocalisations) in order to identify cues that are consistently associated with positive emotional experiences. They would also explore the relationship between signals with positive emotional valence and physiological and behavioural measures of coping behaviour. Work on domestic horses would provide a starting point for this study, but the project would look at parallels in cues used to signal positive emotion across a range of different mammal species and their relationship to individual coping mechanisms and social behaviour. Applications should be made by Friday 30th January 2015. The award of the studentship will be based on a competitive process. If awarded, it would be a full-time studentship (funded for a duration of three years) covering tuition fee, and a maintenance allowance. The maintenance allowance is currently £13,863 per annum. There is an expectation to contribute to teaching on a paid basis. Eligibility requirements for potential candidates: · This award will only pay fees at the Home/EU rate. The maintenance allowance is currently £13,863 per annum. · Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a Master's degree in Psychology or a related discipline. Guidance for applicants: Please send your initial enquires by email for the attention of 'Postgraduate Coordinator' to: psychology(a)sussex.ac.uk<mailto:psychology@sussex.ac.uk> If you wish to discuss the details of this PhD project further please contact Prof Karen McComb (karenm(a)sussex.ac.uk<mailto:karenm@sussex.ac.uk>) Applications should be submitted to the University of Sussex online postgraduate application system (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/2015entry) by Friday 30th January 2015. Please submit your online application together with: · A research statement that briefly outlines our current state of knowledge, hypotheses that could be addressed, and an outline of potential methods. Your answer should not exceed 2 pages including references, be set at minimum 10 font type with margins a minimum of 1cm. · A teaching-related statement that addresses the normal expectation that you contribute to teaching of statistics and research methods (up to 300 words). An up to date CV · A current degree transcript(s) with full details of performance on all completed courses Two academic references The proposed source of funding should be specified as 'GTA'.

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Last BERG Seminar 1and Christmas bash.....10th December
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 09 Dec '14

09 Dec '14

Dear all, I do hope to see you on tomorrow - Wednesday evening for Dr Liz Williamson's presentation on "State of the Apes". Think about leaving the car, as I'll bring in some extra drinks (including a few cans of beer by popular demand ) and festive nibbles so we can have a bit of a BERG bash afterwards to celebrate another successful year. Psychology common room 3A94 as usual, 5.30pm start. Please do come! Hannah

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BERG Seminar 3rd December, 10th December and SPRG meeting 16-18 January 2015
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 02 Dec '14

02 Dec '14

Dear all, Dr Kris Descovich will present at tomorrow’s BERG on Macaque behaviour and welfare. She’s a great speaker – so hope you will come along. Meeting in the Psychology common room, 3A94, 5.30pm, drinks and nibbles as usual. Our final BERG of the year is by Dr Liz Williamson: “State of the Apes”. I’ll bring in some extra drinks and nibbles so we can have a bit of a BERG party afterwards to celebrate another successful year. Please do come! Hannah Still spaces for the SPRG meeting – instructions below..... To sign up to the BERG mailing list new folk must complete the form available here: http://lists.stir.ac.uk/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/berg You can also use this link to unsubscribe. SPRG meeting Dear SPRGers and BERGers The time has come again for SPRG to plan their annual post-Christmas gathering at The Burn in Glenesk, Angus. For those of you who are new to SPRG, the meeting is a chance for all members to get together in the beautiful surroundings of The Burn, to discuss research that is going on within our group, and of course to walk, chat, play games, eat, drink, and be (very) merry. You can find more details about the venue on their website (http://www.goodenough.ac.uk/the-burn) We can arrive from 4pm on Friday 16th – and leave 2pm on Sunday 18th January 2015 Lizzie Webber and I shall be organising the programme and day-to-day running of the meeting. I am delighted to say we already have an excellent programme of speakers. We already have 9 confirmed speakers, on a range of species and topics, including Prof Phyllis Lee (Stirling), and Dr Lydia Hopper from the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study & Conservation of Apes in Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, and will present on her research with chimpanzees and gorillas. There are still some spaces for speakers, and attendees, so please sign up following the instructions below. Michelle Young, Andy Whiten’s wonderful PA in St. Andrews, will be keeping the spreadsheet. To make our lives easier, please make sure you reply to the right person! The costs of staying at The Burn are heavily subsidised by the Charitable Trust, and so remain very reasonable. The prices for this year are £150 for staff (those in full time employment, and who wish to have a single occupancy room – limited availability) and £120 for students, unwaged members, and/or those who share rooms. This price includes accommodation and all meals. I have had to pay a considerable deposit (>£1000) in order to secure our booking. To avoid unnecessary bureaucracy this year, by signing up you are confirming that you will pay £60 should you cancel after 1st December 2014, and we are unable to fill your place. To book your place at The Burn, please let Michelle Young - my22(a)st-andrews.ac.uk<mailto:my22@st-andrews.ac.uk> - know by email that you wish to join us. Use the subject header: The SPRG Burn meeting Give your name: If you prefer a single room (noting additional cost, and no promises): Dietary requirements: This statement “I confirm that I will pay £60 should I be unable to attend and my place is not filled”. Places are limited, so don't miss your chance. In the first instance, bookings are restricted to members and associates of SPRG. However, should places be left unclaimed from mid November onwards, invitations will be opened up to colleagues from further afield. Reply early to avoid disappointment. As always, there will be a series of research talks given throughout the weekend. If you are interested in giving a talk, please let HANNAH (h.m.buchanan-smith(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:h.m.buchanan-smith@stir.ac.uk>) know. The success of the weekend depends upon you! If you have a non-SPRG colleague whom you know would like to come and give a talk please discuss with me – we usually have one or two external folk to spice things up! I have an extremely busy diary, and would really appreciate your cooperation in making the organisation of the SPRG Burn weekend simple. In summary * If you wish to come, please send Michelle your name, whether single room, dietary requirements, and the loss of deposit statement. * If you wish to present, please send Hannah your title. Timing will depend upon number of offers, and we can negotiate. I shall follow up with more details nearer the time. Best wishes, Hannah, Lizzie and Michelle

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