Andrea Sommese
@asommese.bsky.social
Ethologist exploring how dogs see, think, and communicate 👁️🐕 | Postdoc @VetmeduniVienna | Cognitive & welfare science 🐈🐹 | Occasional baker 🧁
Pinned
Toy exploration in gifted word learner dogs and typical dogs - Animal Cognition
Labelling has a pronounced effect on increasing infants’ attention to objects. At the same time, infants actively seek social cues when presented with novel objects and early signs of communicative in...
link.springer.com
After years of working with Gifted dogs, this paper marks the end of that chapter for me 🐕
We compared gifted and typical dogs and found that what sets gifted dogs apart may not be curiosity, but their social motivation
Grateful to the dogs and their humans 💙
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
We compared gifted and typical dogs and found that what sets gifted dogs apart may not be curiosity, but their social motivation
Grateful to the dogs and their humans 💙
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
After years of working with Gifted dogs, this paper marks the end of that chapter for me 🐕
We compared gifted and typical dogs and found that what sets gifted dogs apart may not be curiosity, but their social motivation
Grateful to the dogs and their humans 💙
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
We compared gifted and typical dogs and found that what sets gifted dogs apart may not be curiosity, but their social motivation
Grateful to the dogs and their humans 💙
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Toy exploration in gifted word learner dogs and typical dogs - Animal Cognition
Labelling has a pronounced effect on increasing infants’ attention to objects. At the same time, infants actively seek social cues when presented with novel objects and early signs of communicative in...
link.springer.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM
After years of working with Gifted dogs, this paper marks the end of that chapter for me 🐕
We compared gifted and typical dogs and found that what sets gifted dogs apart may not be curiosity, but their social motivation
Grateful to the dogs and their humans 💙
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
We compared gifted and typical dogs and found that what sets gifted dogs apart may not be curiosity, but their social motivation
Grateful to the dogs and their humans 💙
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Local specialists’ experience and skills in animal behaviour studies: insights from wild chimpanzee field assistants
royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
Local specialists’ experience and skills in animal behaviour studies: insights from wild chimpanzee field assistants
Abstract. The study of wild animal behaviour and cognition has greatly benefited from the foundational work of local specialists (LSs), particularly field
royalsocietypublishing.org
January 26, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Local specialists’ experience and skills in animal behaviour studies: insights from wild chimpanzee field assistants
royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Online survey for dog owners on cold and heat stress and its implications for dog welfare (in English or Portuguese): survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
Please share, participation is anonymous, and we hope to identify indicators and risk factors of thermal stress in dogs
Please share, participation is anonymous, and we hope to identify indicators and risk factors of thermal stress in dogs
Your dog's life during summer and winter
This questionnaire investigates how dog owners perceive and manage their dogs’ thermal comfort, behavior and well-being during hot summers and cold winters. Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and you may discontinue at any time without consequence.
survey.vetmeduni.ac.at
January 20, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Online survey for dog owners on cold and heat stress and its implications for dog welfare (in English or Portuguese): survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
Please share, participation is anonymous, and we hope to identify indicators and risk factors of thermal stress in dogs
Please share, participation is anonymous, and we hope to identify indicators and risk factors of thermal stress in dogs
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Cover girl Veronika is making headlines across the globe🐂
(animal cleverness trumps human stupidity)
Notably, she is a 'companion cow' not used for meat or dairy.
Maybe if we saw other creatures less as a means to an end, we could appreciate their richness better...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
(animal cleverness trumps human stupidity)
Notably, she is a 'companion cow' not used for meat or dairy.
Maybe if we saw other creatures less as a means to an end, we could appreciate their richness better...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
January 22, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Cover girl Veronika is making headlines across the globe🐂
(animal cleverness trumps human stupidity)
Notably, she is a 'companion cow' not used for meat or dairy.
Maybe if we saw other creatures less as a means to an end, we could appreciate their richness better...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
(animal cleverness trumps human stupidity)
Notably, she is a 'companion cow' not used for meat or dairy.
Maybe if we saw other creatures less as a means to an end, we could appreciate their richness better...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
The Ecology & Behaviour conference is still looking for a new French organizing team for a future edition.
An inclusive, international & free conference run by early-career researchers, let’s keep it alive!
👉 Get in touch with us and check the website: ecobhvr2025.sciencesconf.org
An inclusive, international & free conference run by early-career researchers, let’s keep it alive!
👉 Get in touch with us and check the website: ecobhvr2025.sciencesconf.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:36 PM
The Ecology & Behaviour conference is still looking for a new French organizing team for a future edition.
An inclusive, international & free conference run by early-career researchers, let’s keep it alive!
👉 Get in touch with us and check the website: ecobhvr2025.sciencesconf.org
An inclusive, international & free conference run by early-career researchers, let’s keep it alive!
👉 Get in touch with us and check the website: ecobhvr2025.sciencesconf.org
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
With ten days to go to submit your symposia proposal, we're here to answer your most burning question: What is the registration cost?
#AcademicTwitter #Conferencechatter #ECBB2026
#AcademicTwitter #Conferencechatter #ECBB2026
January 21, 2026 at 8:43 AM
With ten days to go to submit your symposia proposal, we're here to answer your most burning question: What is the registration cost?
#AcademicTwitter #Conferencechatter #ECBB2026
#AcademicTwitter #Conferencechatter #ECBB2026
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
We are hiring! We have an open position for a new lab coordinator in #primate #cognition and #behavior in the Cognitive Evolution Group at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Find out more at: sites.lsa.umich.edu/cognitive-ev...
January 20, 2026 at 3:36 PM
We are hiring! We have an open position for a new lab coordinator in #primate #cognition and #behavior in the Cognitive Evolution Group at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Find out more at: sites.lsa.umich.edu/cognitive-ev...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
I have prepared a video summarizing the study. Please come back here after reading the thread : )
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow
YouTube video by Antonio Jose Osuna Mascaró
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I have prepared a video summarizing the study. Please come back here after reading the thread : )
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
#NewPaper on adaptive tool use in Veronika the Carinthian #Cow 🐮 🧪
#CompCogPapers #AnimalBehvior #ComparativePsychology #AnimalCognition #ToolUse #CarinthianBlondvieh
#CompCogPapers #AnimalBehvior #ComparativePsychology #AnimalCognition #ToolUse #CarinthianBlondvieh
Our new paper (with @biotay.bsky.social) is out and on the cover story of @currentbiology.bsky.social !!!! Veronika, a Carinthian mountain cow flexibly uses a “multi-purpose tool” to scratch herself. A video and more information will follow in the comments.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
January 20, 2026 at 2:39 PM
#NewPaper on adaptive tool use in Veronika the Carinthian #Cow 🐮 🧪
#CompCogPapers #AnimalBehvior #ComparativePsychology #AnimalCognition #ToolUse #CarinthianBlondvieh
#CompCogPapers #AnimalBehvior #ComparativePsychology #AnimalCognition #ToolUse #CarinthianBlondvieh
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Are you interested in doing a PhD about what humans infer about animal minds?
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Bridging the Species Divide: Animal minds and the human-animal relationship (Ref: RDF26/HW/PSY/RENNER) at Northumbria University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Bridging the Species Divide: Animal minds and the human-animal relationship (Ref: RDF26/HW/PSY/RENNER) at Northumbria University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Are you interested in doing a PhD about what humans infer about animal minds?
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Check out this opportunity @northumbriapsy.bsky.social with me, @mdconstable.bsky.social and Lee Shepherd!
Deadline 23 Jan 2026
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
🐶❄️☀️
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
January 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM
🐶❄️☀️
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
Congratulations, this is great!
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Congratulations, this is great!
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Our new paper (with @biotay.bsky.social) is out and on the cover story of @currentbiology.bsky.social !!!! Veronika, a Carinthian mountain cow flexibly uses a “multi-purpose tool” to scratch herself. A video and more information will follow in the comments.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
January 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Our new paper (with @biotay.bsky.social) is out and on the cover story of @currentbiology.bsky.social !!!! Veronika, a Carinthian mountain cow flexibly uses a “multi-purpose tool” to scratch herself. A video and more information will follow in the comments.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
"Scientists have been forced to rethink the intelligence of cattle after an Austrian cow named Veronika displayed an impressive – and until now undocumented – knack for tool use." www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
Back-scratching bovine leads scientists to reassess intelligence of cows
Brown Swiss in Austria has been discovered using tools in different ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:09 PM
"Scientists have been forced to rethink the intelligence of cattle after an Austrian cow named Veronika displayed an impressive – and until now undocumented – knack for tool use." www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Any ECRs (must have PhD by deadline) want to chat about joining my group at Bangor? Get in touch!
Maternal effects, stress, sociality, thermal ecology and intersection of all the above… we cover a broad behavioural/ecological/physiological remit and are interested in adding skills to this portfolio!
Maternal effects, stress, sociality, thermal ecology and intersection of all the above… we cover a broad behavioural/ecological/physiological remit and are interested in adding skills to this portfolio!
Together with the @royalsociety.org, we invite applications for the International Fellowships 2026. The scheme supports international early career researchers in advancing their expertise through collaborations with UK partners. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3LaMIBC
January 19, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Any ECRs (must have PhD by deadline) want to chat about joining my group at Bangor? Get in touch!
Maternal effects, stress, sociality, thermal ecology and intersection of all the above… we cover a broad behavioural/ecological/physiological remit and are interested in adding skills to this portfolio!
Maternal effects, stress, sociality, thermal ecology and intersection of all the above… we cover a broad behavioural/ecological/physiological remit and are interested in adding skills to this portfolio!
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
A fun and informative video by @zefrank.bsky.social (True Facts) about our research on Goffin's cockatoos!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq9J...
True Facts: Is The Goffin's Cockatoo The Smartest Bird?
YouTube video by Ze Frank
www.youtube.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:06 PM
A fun and informative video by @zefrank.bsky.social (True Facts) about our research on Goffin's cockatoos!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq9J...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
🚨 PhD offer (please share)
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
January 15, 2026 at 1:31 PM
🚨 PhD offer (please share)
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
Fascinated by bird migration and movement ecology? 🦜🌍 Join us at @vogelwarte.bsky.social to study annual cycle energetics with multi-sensor loggers in multiple species
Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
Starting: June 2026
Supervision: Martins Briedis & me
Info: tinyurl.com/2dbv9nzh
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
1/4 Horses can smell human fear
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
January 16, 2026 at 9:22 AM
1/4 Horses can smell human fear
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Last few weeks to apply!
Apply for @glasgow.ac.uk's James McCune Smith #PhD Scholarship on this and other topics:
Indicators of #hibernation quality in #hedgehogs with me
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk & @julianowack.bsky.social @ljmuofficial.bsky.social
Link to apply: www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships...
📅 Deadline: 31st Jan 2026
Indicators of #hibernation quality in #hedgehogs with me
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk & @julianowack.bsky.social @ljmuofficial.bsky.social
Link to apply: www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships...
📅 Deadline: 31st Jan 2026
January 14, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Last few weeks to apply!
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
🧪 New paper with "gifted" pet #dogs 🐶 suggests that they are able to associate labels they've overheard their guardians use with novel objects. Check out the full article: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#CompCogPapers #AnimalCognition #DogBehavior #DogCognition #ComparativePsychology #LoveDogs
#CompCogPapers #AnimalCognition #DogBehavior #DogCognition #ComparativePsychology #LoveDogs
Dogs with a large vocabulary of object labels learn new labels by overhearing like 1.5-year-old infants
Children as young as 18 months can acquire novel words by overhearing third-party interactions. Demonstrating similar learning processes in nonhuman species would indicate that the social-cognitive sk...
www.science.org
January 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM
🧪 New paper with "gifted" pet #dogs 🐶 suggests that they are able to associate labels they've overheard their guardians use with novel objects. Check out the full article: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#CompCogPapers #AnimalCognition #DogBehavior #DogCognition #ComparativePsychology #LoveDogs
#CompCogPapers #AnimalCognition #DogBehavior #DogCognition #ComparativePsychology #LoveDogs
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Attention student attendees of #ASABSpring2026 ! Our annual video contest is NOW OPEN for submissions. Prepare a 1-2 min video on your animal behaviour research, and you could win £100 💰💰💰💰
Due date is Fri March 20 !
Details and submission form here: www.asab.org/asab-spring-...
Due date is Fri March 20 !
Details and submission form here: www.asab.org/asab-spring-...
ASAB Spring Video Contest 2026 — ASAB
www.asab.org
January 12, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Attention student attendees of #ASABSpring2026 ! Our annual video contest is NOW OPEN for submissions. Prepare a 1-2 min video on your animal behaviour research, and you could win £100 💰💰💰💰
Due date is Fri March 20 !
Details and submission form here: www.asab.org/asab-spring-...
Due date is Fri March 20 !
Details and submission form here: www.asab.org/asab-spring-...
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Psychology Jobs
Three assistant professor positions in health, clinical, or social psychology at the University of Southampton, UK.
Closing date: 30 Jan 2026
BSky Contacts: @timwildschut.bsky.social & @denisdrieghe.bsky.social
#PsychJobs #SocialPsyc #ClinPsyc #HealthPsyc #PhDSky #AcademicSky
Three assistant professor positions in health, clinical, or social psychology at the University of Southampton, UK.
Closing date: 30 Jan 2026
BSky Contacts: @timwildschut.bsky.social & @denisdrieghe.bsky.social
#PsychJobs #SocialPsyc #ClinPsyc #HealthPsyc #PhDSky #AcademicSky
Job Opportunity at the University of Southampton: Lecturers in Health/Clinical (mental health)/Social Psychology x 3
The School of Psychology, University of Southampton, is seeking to appoint three permanent lecturers in health, clinical or social psychology to grow our research and contribute to delivery of our und...
jobs.soton.ac.uk
January 11, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Psychology Jobs
Three assistant professor positions in health, clinical, or social psychology at the University of Southampton, UK.
Closing date: 30 Jan 2026
BSky Contacts: @timwildschut.bsky.social & @denisdrieghe.bsky.social
#PsychJobs #SocialPsyc #ClinPsyc #HealthPsyc #PhDSky #AcademicSky
Three assistant professor positions in health, clinical, or social psychology at the University of Southampton, UK.
Closing date: 30 Jan 2026
BSky Contacts: @timwildschut.bsky.social & @denisdrieghe.bsky.social
#PsychJobs #SocialPsyc #ClinPsyc #HealthPsyc #PhDSky #AcademicSky
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
2 year Postdoctoral Research Fellow opportunity at the University of St Andrews on my project "Aesthetic Values and the Social Dimensions of Science"
www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
#philosophy #philsci
www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
#philosophy #philsci
Research Fellow - AR3233
Research Fellow - AR3233,
Unit: Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies
Salary: Grade 6 / £38,784-£42,254 pa
Full time
Fixed term: 24 months,
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>Application...
www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk
January 7, 2026 at 7:31 PM
2 year Postdoctoral Research Fellow opportunity at the University of St Andrews on my project "Aesthetic Values and the Social Dimensions of Science"
www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
#philosophy #philsci
www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
#philosophy #philsci
Reposted by Andrea Sommese
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with monthly highlights from Wild Animal Initiative.
Subscribe to monthly email newsletter — Wild Animal Initiative
Sign up to receive updates about Wild Animal Initiative and the field of wild animal welfare science.
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with monthly highlights from Wild Animal Initiative.
Here a cute video abstract too: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvFw...
January 9, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Here a cute video abstract too: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvFw...