Prof Nichola Raihani
Professor of Evolution and Behaviour
Experimental Psychology
Div of Psychology & Lang Sciences
- Joined UCL
- 1st Oct 2011
Research summary
Research in this group explores the evolution of cooperation in nature. In particular, we ask what mechanisms can maintain cooperation in interactions where partners may otherwise be tempted to exploit one another. In parallel, we investigate the ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of individual variation in social behaviour.
We work on a variety of model species, and use real-world and lab-based methods to tackle these questions.
We are striving to be an open science lab. We publish in open-access journals, we pre-register our experiments when we can, and we routinely post the materials, data and code to reproduce analyses online.
For more details, please visit the lab website: http://www.seb-lab.org/
Teaching summary
I offer an optional MSc module called Evolution & Social Behaviour (PSYC0089). The module is available to a limited number of students each year.
Education
- University of Cambridge
- Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 2008
- University of Cambridge
- Other higher degree, Master of Arts | 2007
- University of Cambridge
- First Degree, Bachelor of Arts | 2003
Biography
2021-2024: International Leaders Visiting Fellowship, University of Auckland
2018: Philip Leverhulme Prize for Psychology
October 2017 - present: Professor of Evolution and Behaviour, Department of Experimental Psychology.
October 2011 - present: Royal Society University Research Fellow
University College London
July 2008 - October 2011 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society London
October 2004 - Feb 2008 - DPhil Cooperation and Conflict in Pied Babblers
University of Cambridge.
Supervisor: Prof. Tim H Clutton-Brock