Dieter Lukas

Studies in mammals and birds have identified that species with certain social behaviour are predominantly found in certain environments. This project investigates whether humans living in these environments show similar behaviour. With Andreas Pondorfer and Toman Barsbai

Human and non-human societies differ in how closely individuals are related and whether families stay together. This project investigates whether kin composition influences interactions within groups. With Jeremy Koster and Tim Clutton-Brock

Competition between individuals is a fundamental aspect of the evolution of mammalian societies. Is it beneficial for individuals to rank above others of the same sex? And when would we expect that individuals of one sex have more power than individuals of the opposite sex. With Elise Huchard and Shivani

I am a collaborator on the great-tailed grackle project. This project investigates whether behaviour plays a role in their adaption to new environments. My particular focus is on understanding the mating and dispersal behaviour across their expansion range. With Corina Logan

Across animals, risks and resource availabilities in the environment influence the timing and investment in reproduction. We are interested whether in humans transfer of resources might mean that reproduction is more shaped by the social than the ecological environment. With Pablo Jose Varas Enriquez

Marriages among cousins are common across human societies, despite the potential risk of inbreeding. Are these potential costs balanced by fitness benefits such that cousin marriages are an adaptive strategy in certain environments? With Arianna Dalzero

I compiled a list of 250 funding agencies for postdoctoral research fellowships in the biological sciences.

Various online boards collect job announcements, here is a list of some in biology and conservation.

There are a number of searchable online databases with funding opportunities:

• Research Professional for researchers based at UK universities with subscriptions
• SPIN for US universities  with subscriptions; Instrumentl for individuals/institutions with subscriptions (mainly US)
• ELFI for German universities with subscriptions
• Information on funding for early career researchers (master's through to postdoc) from grad centers at UCLA, UChicago, and Harvard University 
• Lists of private philanthropic foundations in the US, in the UK, in Switzerland, and in Germany.

I have been fortunate to experience very supportive mentors, peers, and colleagues, and I work to create positive academic environments.

• Build networks: in addition to informal peer alliances, formal communities for students, postdocs, or researchers, are important to strengthen solidarity and address structural issues.  
• Establish mentoring: the aim of such programs is to help mentees clarify their goals and gain tools to approach future situations; academic environments might also benefit from reverse mentoring to raise awareness.
• Run workshops: the postdoc committee at the Department of Zoology invited experts to provide their views on various skills relevant for career progression.
• Organise talks: seminar series (involving local or external speakers) help bring the department together and offer forums for exchange. Here are some ideas for what to consider when organising them. 

Existing biases and skewed incentive structures mean that opportunities, pay, and career progression are not equally available to all. To promote inclusive environments, I aim to:

• Provide fair employment conditions and support for all involved in research.
• Be an active collaborator to create inclusive workspaces.
• Support a scientific approach and process that is open to all 
• Ensure equal representation among speakers at conferences and in seminar series.
• Study the processes that limit equal participation and suggest actions to increase visibility of underrepresented groups.
• Judge people based on what they achieved with the opportunities afforded to them, and not fall for the myth of meritocracy.
• Provide a supportive and harassment-free environment for everyone.

A number of researchers provide introductions and advice on how to perform comparative analyses in a phylogenetic framework:

• AnthroTree website, which accompanies a book by Charles Nunn.
• TreeThinkers blog of the Bodega Workshop. 
• R Phylo Wiki, which grew out of a hackaton at NESCENT.
• Ultimate overview of phylogenetic programs, curated by Joe Felsenstein.
• Phylogenetic packages in R, maintained by Brian O'Meara.
• PhyTools blog, written by Liam Revell.
• Several lists of manuals, resources, overviews, and tutorials about the statistical software R.

I engage with people from diverse backgrounds who are fascinated by animal behaviour. These interactions inspire me to see new angles to my research. Here are some examples of my exchanges with science journalists:

• CBC radio special on Love

• ScienceVS True Love podcast

• Breaking Bio podcast on parent of the year

• BBC iWonder exploration of monogamy in animals

• Carl Zimmer on the 'natural' of family life

An alternative creative, explorative, fun, and hands-on activity: finding, making, tasting, and enjoying food:

• You're Vegan? What do you Eat?! So many things! - with Corina Logan.
• Great community based guide to restaurants all around the world.
• Recipe collections at the BBC and the NY Times.