BERG

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1013 discussions

by Hannah Buchanan-Smith

May be of interest to some.... Monday the 18th of March, 18.00 David Hume Tower, Conference Room We're showing the award-winning, controversial documentary 'Earthlings' about the way animals are used across various industries. It will be followed by a discussion panel with guest speakers from outside the university. http://www.facebook.com/events/337007706407750/?fref=ts "For every one person that sees Earthlings, they will tell three... This is THE definitive documentary of our time" Please come and bring your perspective to the discussion on how we can change the way we treat our planet and everything that inhabits it. With meat production alone expected to double by 2050 this film is truly timely and concerns us all. -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 10 months

BERG meeting on 27th March: Any volunteers?

by Christine Caldwell

Dear all, We still have a space free in this semester's BERG schedule (Wed 27 March). If anyone would like to volunteer to take this slot please just let me know. Thanks! Christine. Dr Christine Caldwell Senior Lecturer in Psychology School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling FK9 4LA -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 10 months

Aquatic Ape

by James Anderson

This writer has his own particular view to put across, but interesting to compare with Morgan. J http://www.aquaticape.org -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 10 months

FW: Research Assistantship - Elephant Cognition and Behavior

by James Anderson

For info…. Jim From: Joshua Plotnik <joshua.plotnik(a)gmail.com<mailto:joshua.plotnik@gmail.com>> Date: Wednesday, 6 March 2013 18:34 To: Joshua Plotnik <joshua.plotnik(a)gmail.com<mailto:joshua.plotnik@gmail.com>> Subject: Research Assistantship - Elephant Cognition and Behavior Dear all - would you mind passing on the below research assistantship announcement to anyone you think might be interested? My apologies to anyone receiving this in duplicate, and thank you for your help! Best, Josh Plotnik -- ****************************** Josh Plotnik, Ph.D. Founder and CEO, Think Elephants International, Inc., U.S.A. Researcher, Dept. of Psychology, University of Cambridge, England Head of Elephant Research, Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, Thailand http://www.thinkelephants.org Research Assistantship – Elephant Cognition and Behavior Overview: Think Elephants International, Inc. operates under the belief that research, education and conservation are not, and should not be mutually exclusive areas. We are looking for research assistants interested in these links and in working with elephant researchers from several universities in northern Thailand. Our research program, operated from an elephant facility in northern Thailand (N=26 elephants), focuses on understanding the evolution of intelligence. Our research questions specifically focus on convergent cognitive evolution and the expression of complex cognitive traits in the world’s largest land mammal. As a research assistant, you will be integrally involved in day-to-day research operations, largely focused on studies of sensory perception, cooperation and problem-solving. You will have up-close-and-personal contact with elephants in a safe environment on a daily basis. We are looking only for full-time research assistants willing to commit to at least 1 year of living at our field site in Thailand. Job description: We are looking for motivated assistants with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, animal behavior, evolutionary biology, or a related field. Those with Master’s degrees are especially encouraged to apply. Research assistants will be responsible for running cognition experiments on a daily basis on a group of 26 captive elephants based in Chiang Rai, Thailand, and working out of our research office in the Golden Triangle. The research team also manages several hotel programs that engage hotel guests in our elephant studies, and assistants are responsible for running these experiences several times a week. You would also be responsible for managing our Earthwatch program (www.earthwatch.org/exped/plotnik.html<http://www.earthwatch.org/exped/plotnik.html>), which runs 8 times per year. We are especially interested in assistants interested in science education, as Think Elephants International is largely focused on integrating animal behavior research with conservation education. Assistants interested in science education will assist in all administrative aspects of our current programs, and contribute to the expansion of our education initiatives in the US and abroad. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Live and work full-time in the Golden Triangle, Thailand as a member of the Think Elephants research team • Collect and input data, and be involved in data analysis and manuscript preparation • Be integrally involved in the design and implementation of cognition research studies. • Work at least 8 hours a day in hot and humid temperatures outside and often without air conditioning. • Coordinate with the hotel staff on the scheduling and managing of research guest programs. • Supervise Earthwatch volunteers and guests in collaboration with the elephant facility staff and management. • Organize, design and implement education curricula in both U.S. and Thai schools, under the supervision of Think Elephants’ Head of Education. • Understand the mission of the organization to effectively communicate it to educators, scientists and other members of the public. • Create informational documents for school administrators, teachers, students and parents • Organize data, research and education finances, protocols and curricula using online tools. Qualifications: • Excellent written and oral communication • A background in experimental or observational research is required • Previous experience working with large animals is desirable but not required • Previous experience living and/or working abroad is desirable but not required • An ability to work independently and in difficult environments • Ability to adapt to novel environments and work within different cultural constraints • Willingness to learn the Thai language • Knowledge of Spanish, Italian, French or other foreign languages a plus • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills • Ability to stay organized, on task, and meet deadlines • Attention to detail • Self-motivated, but willing to ask questions when necessary • Strong computer knowledge • Friendly, dependable, flexible and able to work with a multi-national team of researchers and educators on a daily basis The Package: This is an unpaid, volunteer assistantship, but certain benefits are provided. Travel to and from the field site from your place of residence and insurance are your own responsibility. We will pay 50% of your accommodation costs, and provide 3 meals a day in the staff canteen. Your accommodation will most likely consist of a single room with aircon, hot water shower, and wifi. We also provide modest stipends for running hotel guest programs and Earthwatch expeditions. Assistants will have the opportunity, depending on their level of participation, to co-author publications that result from short and long-term research projects. Further details of the package will be discussed if candidates reach the interview stage. To apply for this position, please send a CV or resume, a cover letter describing your interest, experience and listing the names and contact details for three references to Dr. Joshua Plotnik, josh(a)thinkelephants.org<mailto:josh@thinkelephants.org>. Please also indicate in your cover letter whether or not you have any experience in primary or secondary education and your overall interest in working closely with pre-college young adults or children. More information about our programs and our past research can be found at www.thinkelephants.org<http://www.thinkelephants.org>. Questions regarding the position may also be directed to Dr. Plotnik. -- -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 10 months

This week's BERG meeting: Wednesday 6th March

by Christine Caldwell

Dear all, We have not got a speaker lined up for this week, so for a change we are going to take advantage of some of the amazing educational resources that are accumulating on the internet (it's not just for funny videos of cats apparently?). Hannah drew the TED talks to my attention (http://www.ted.com/talks) with the suggestion that we could watch one of these during one of our BERG meetings this semester. There are loads of great talks by big names, so we could easily listen to Richard Dawkins or Jane Goodall telling us things we already know about and agree with, which would be fine. Or alternatively we could take the opportunity to listen to something more controversial, which sounded a bit more fun to me. So this week I propose that we watch Elaine Morgan's talk about the aquatic ape hypothesis. The video is short (less than 20 minutes) so there will be plenty of time for us to have a bit of a chat about what we think about it afterwards. We start at 5.30pm as per usual in the Psychology common room (3A94 Cottrell). Drinks and nibbles will be provided. Bathing costumes (for a quick dip in the loch afterwards) strictly optional. Christine. -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 11 months

SCAB and UFAW International Animal Welfare Symposium, Barcelona 4th-5th July 2013

by Hannah Buchanan-Smith

How times change.....there is a facebook page for SCAB this year! I encourage a good Stirling turn out as presenters and audience. https://www.facebook.com/events/464312086967712/ Below you will see details of the UFAW symposium (I am the UFAW University representative and they kindly fund our BERG meetings). From: Stephen Wickens [mailto:wickens@ufaw.org.uk] Sent: 27 February 2013 13:33 To: 'Stephen Wickens' Subject: Update: UFAW International Animal Welfare Symposium, Barcelona 4th-5th July 2013 - full list of contributors now online Science in the Service of Animal Welfare: Priorities around the world UFAW International Animal Welfare Science Symposium, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain 4-5th July 2013 Background and Aims of the Symposium Around the world the importance of science in elucidating and tackling animal welfare problems is increasingly recognised, but priorities, concerns and approaches vary between nations and cultures. The aim of this international symposium is to provide a forum for all those active or interested in animal welfare science and its application around the world, to meet and discuss current topics in this field and international variation in priorities, concerns and approaches to animal welfare science. As such, this symposium forms part of UFAW's regular on-going programme of meetings. Speakers will include: · Braithwaite V (Pennsylvania State University, USA) The validity of parameters currently taken to be indicators of sentience · Nicol CJ (University of Bristol, UK) At what point is a chicken's welfare good enough? And is 'good enough', good enough? · Perera BVP (National Wildlife Training Centre, Sri Lanka) The welfare of free-living elephants as their habitat shrinks · Winckler C (University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Austria) Progress in, the present state of, and challenges for on-farm animal welfare assessments in Europe A full list of speakers and the 70+ posters that will be presented can be found by visiting the UFAW website or clicking here: http://www.ufaw.org.uk/conf.html. The meeting will also feature a session on 'Building international links in animal welfare science'. Registration Details The registration fee for the Symposium includes attendance for the two days, lunch and refreshments and a drinks reception on the evening of the 4th July. A limited number of subsidised places have also been made available for students and veterinary nurses; these will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To qualify for the reduced early registration rate you must register before the 22nd March. (NB. Places at the drinks reception are limited, due to the capacity of the venue, and will be allocated on registering for the symposium. Delegates who register after the venue's capacity is reached will not, unfortunately, be able to attend this event.) Further information about the symposium, including details of the venue and different accommodation on the UAB site can be found on the UFAW website - www.ufaw.org.uk<http://www.ufaw.org.uk> Background to UFAW UFAW, the International Animal Welfare Science Society, is an independent, scientific and educational animal welfare charity. The organization promotes high standards of welfare for farm, companion, laboratory and captive wild animals and those with which we interact in the wild. Any questions about the Symposium should be directed to: Dr Stephen Wickens, UFAW Barcelona 2013, Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire AL4 8AN, UK. Email: wickens(a)ufaw.org.uk<mailto:wickens@ufaw.org.uk>. Tel: +44 (0)1582 831818; Fax: +44 (0)1582 831414 The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) is an independent registered UK charity that works to develop and promote improvements in the welfare of all animals through scientific and educational activity worldwide. Registered Charity No 207996 (Registered in England) and Company Limited by Guarantee No 579991 -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 11 months

Tomorrow's BERG meeting: Wednesday 27 Feb

by Christine Caldwell

Dear all, Just a reminder about tomorrow's BERG meeting. Lizzie Webber will be taking us on a visual tour of wild elephant behaviour. We'll start at 5.30pm as usual in the Psychology common room (3A94 Cottrell) with some drinks and nibbles. Christine. Dr Christine Caldwell Senior Lecturer in Psychology School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling FK9 4LA -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 11 months

Katie Slocombe visit on Thursday

by Christine Caldwell

Dear BERGers, In addition to our usual BERG meeting this week (Lizzie Webber showing us lots of photos and videos of elephants!) we have also got Katie Slocombe coming to give a seminar on Thursday. Katie will be talking about chimpanzee communication. She is a fantastic speaker so it should be a really great talk. If you want to come along, the talk will be at 4pm this Thursday (28 February) in the Psychology common room (3A94 Cottrell). Also, we'll be taking Katie out for dinner after the seminar. Please let me know if you would like to join us (by Wednesday morning at the latest so I can book a table). Katie will be staying at the Management Centre so we will probably go to the Meadowpark. Thanks. Christine. Dr Christine Caldwell Senior Lecturer in Psychology School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling FK9 4LA -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 11 months

Reminder: Today's BERG meeting (Wed 20 Feb)

by Christine Caldwell

Dear all, Just a reminder about today's BERG meeting. Kelly Cobey will be talking to us about hormonal contraceptive use and relationship dynamics. We start at 5.30pm as usual in the Psychology common room (3A94 Cottrell). I have attached a preliminary schedule for this semester's meetings. We still have two slots free at the moment (6 March and 27 March). Christine. -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 11 months

2013 Scottish Conference on Animal Behaviour - 23rd March

by Hannah Buchanan-Smith

Please see a message below for the wonderful SCAB - it would be wonderful to have a good representation from Stirling. Please register directly with Dana Weldon. We may be able to coordinate travel, so let me know if you plan to go. Best, Hannah Hi all, This is an announcement of the annual Scottish Conference on Animal Behaviour, to be held this year at the University of Glasgow. Apologies for the short notice but the event will be held on Saturday March 23rd, in the Graham Kerr building at the University of Glasgow. This is a smaller conference with a very relaxed atmosphere and is an ideal venue for students and post-docs to present their work to peers. Please feel free to submit a title on any aspect of animal behaviour. This means lab or field. Terrestrial or aquatic. Invertebrate or vertebrate. Fur, fins, or feathers. It all sounds great to us! Anyone interested in presenting a talk or poster can submit titles to Dana Weldon (d.weldon.1(a)research.gla.ac.uk<mailto:d.weldon.1@research.gla.ac.uk>) by Thursday 8th March. Registration for general attendees will close on Friday the 15th March at 5pm. Registration is £15 and includes coffee, tea, lunch, and a wine and cheese reception after talks. We request that the payment be made in cash the day of the conference. Priority for talks and posters will be given to students. Attached is a poster containing this info. We would be grateful if you could circulate this announcement to any colleagues who might be interested or stick the poster somewhere visible in your department. Hope to see you all in Glasgow! Cheers, Shaun Killen -- ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> Shaun S. Killen B.Sc. (Hon), M.Sc., Ph.D. NERC Research Fellow Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine Rm. 206, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK G12 8QQ Phone: +44 (0)141 330 2898 Fax: +44 (0)141 330 5971 Website: http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/staff/shaunkillen/shaunkill en/ Please consider submitting an abstract to our symposium entitled: "Effects of environmental change on the links between physiology and behaviour", to be held at the 2014 International Congress on the Biology of Fish in Edinburgh, UK. Click here for more info: http://icbf2014.sls.hw.ac.uk/Symposia.htm Or, listen to me and others babble about biology on our Institute podcast: http://naturallyspeakingpodcast.wordpress.com/ -- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

12 years, 11 months

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