Dr Cassandra Raby
@cassandraraby.com
Conservation biologist: animal behaviour and health.
Studies 🐒 🦔 🐇 🙋 | Stats, GIS, Fieldwork
Teaching Fellow, University of Leeds. FHEA.
Outdoor adventures and allotment grower
she/her (Cass/Cassie)
Studies 🐒 🦔 🐇 🙋 | Stats, GIS, Fieldwork
Teaching Fellow, University of Leeds. FHEA.
Outdoor adventures and allotment grower
she/her (Cass/Cassie)
Pinned
Dr Cassandra Raby
@cassandraraby.com
· Nov 8
Hello all!
I'm Cass. I'm an ecologist who focuses on animal health and behaviour. This includes studying monkeys and hedgehogs. But I also dabble in other conservation research, accessibility in STEM, and fieldwork pedagogy.
And I have two pet rabbits
I'm Cass. I'm an ecologist who focuses on animal health and behaviour. This includes studying monkeys and hedgehogs. But I also dabble in other conservation research, accessibility in STEM, and fieldwork pedagogy.
And I have two pet rabbits
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
A very apt workshop for these times! Abstract submission has been extended to Aug 15:
Call for Abstracts Extended! 🌟
Join us this September in Sheffield for 'Nature of Intelligence: Bridging Animal & Artificial Intelligence', an ASAB Interdisciplinary Workshop.
@asab.org @sheffielduni.bsky.social
#ArtificialIntelligence #AnimalCognition #Neuroscience I #AcademicWorkshop #ASAB
Join us this September in Sheffield for 'Nature of Intelligence: Bridging Animal & Artificial Intelligence', an ASAB Interdisciplinary Workshop.
@asab.org @sheffielduni.bsky.social
#ArtificialIntelligence #AnimalCognition #Neuroscience I #AcademicWorkshop #ASAB
July 21, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A very apt workshop for these times! Abstract submission has been extended to Aug 15:
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Originally posted on Twitter in 2023—reposting after a chat with a colleague about possibly publishing in an MDPI journal (whose review practices are similar to Frontiers). Not sure if either has since addressed the issues raised, but I feel process should be public knowledge.
June 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Originally posted on Twitter in 2023—reposting after a chat with a colleague about possibly publishing in an MDPI journal (whose review practices are similar to Frontiers). Not sure if either has since addressed the issues raised, but I feel process should be public knowledge.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Ecstatic, during cooling (11°C) swim, after @rspb.bsky.social Volunteer Monitoring of Farm Wildlife at a Legge Farm in Norfolk Fens, to meet my 1st ever European/Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), complete with barbels at the mouth. Big beauties. bsky.app/profile/nume... #MySwim #carp #commoncarp 1/6
May 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Ecstatic, during cooling (11°C) swim, after @rspb.bsky.social Volunteer Monitoring of Farm Wildlife at a Legge Farm in Norfolk Fens, to meet my 1st ever European/Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), complete with barbels at the mouth. Big beauties. bsky.app/profile/nume... #MySwim #carp #commoncarp 1/6
Always a privilege to be teaching out at Mpala Research Centre
Our MSc Biodiversity and Conservation students are having a great time so far
Our MSc Biodiversity and Conservation students are having a great time so far
April 4, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Always a privilege to be teaching out at Mpala Research Centre
Our MSc Biodiversity and Conservation students are having a great time so far
Our MSc Biodiversity and Conservation students are having a great time so far
Ah ha! I think I might have cracked it 🤞
I'm currently trying to crop utilisation distributions by habitat type (without recalculating the UD). I've done it before, but I can't seem to replicate it well enough for me to make the conversion back to an estUDm for the UDOI calculations
March 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Ah ha! I think I might have cracked it 🤞
I'm currently trying to crop utilisation distributions by habitat type (without recalculating the UD). I've done it before, but I can't seem to replicate it well enough for me to make the conversion back to an estUDm for the UDOI calculations
March 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I'm currently trying to crop utilisation distributions by habitat type (without recalculating the UD). I've done it before, but I can't seem to replicate it well enough for me to make the conversion back to an estUDm for the UDOI calculations
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
If you live in Leeds or Bradford, please complete our Parks survey- whether you use parks or not! As a thank you, you can win a £100 voucher!
bit.ly/m/GreenAWARE
bit.ly/m/GreenAWARE
March 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
If you live in Leeds or Bradford, please complete our Parks survey- whether you use parks or not! As a thank you, you can win a £100 voucher!
bit.ly/m/GreenAWARE
bit.ly/m/GreenAWARE
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
PhD opportunity with me (RSPB) at Sheffield Hallam combining ecology (building-nesting birds esp. Swift) + building design & planning (Net Zero goals & retrofit). We need a strong student interested in both! Is that you? url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cNyjCR636C... Please repost.
March 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
PhD opportunity with me (RSPB) at Sheffield Hallam combining ecology (building-nesting birds esp. Swift) + building design & planning (Net Zero goals & retrofit). We need a strong student interested in both! Is that you? url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cNyjCR636C... Please repost.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Hi Bluesky, we are looking for a PhD student for an interdisciplinary project on thermal imaging & welfare in hens. Applicants from diverse scientific backgrounds welcome -if you're interested in welfare, physiology, machine learning, imaging tech..get in touch :-) www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/resear...
March 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Hi Bluesky, we are looking for a PhD student for an interdisciplinary project on thermal imaging & welfare in hens. Applicants from diverse scientific backgrounds welcome -if you're interested in welfare, physiology, machine learning, imaging tech..get in touch :-) www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/resear...
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
There are concerns that Bluesky's impact has faded since the initial hype. This is false.
That impression results from reading headlines about social media instead of the hard data.
The five HIGHEST points of Bluesky posts mentioning research all occur in the last 2 weeks.
That impression results from reading headlines about social media instead of the hard data.
The five HIGHEST points of Bluesky posts mentioning research all occur in the last 2 weeks.
March 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
There are concerns that Bluesky's impact has faded since the initial hype. This is false.
That impression results from reading headlines about social media instead of the hard data.
The five HIGHEST points of Bluesky posts mentioning research all occur in the last 2 weeks.
That impression results from reading headlines about social media instead of the hard data.
The five HIGHEST points of Bluesky posts mentioning research all occur in the last 2 weeks.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Really useful tip highlighting the flexibility of map visualisations in R and use of the excellent Patchwork package.
www.andrewheiss.com/blog/2025/02...
www.andrewheiss.com/blog/2025/02...
How to use a histogram as a legend in {ggplot2} | Andrew Heiss
Land isn’t unemployed—people are. Here’s how to use R, {ggplot2}, {sf}, and {patchwork} to create a histogram legend in a choropleth map to better see the distribution of values.
www.andrewheiss.com
February 21, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Really useful tip highlighting the flexibility of map visualisations in R and use of the excellent Patchwork package.
www.andrewheiss.com/blog/2025/02...
www.andrewheiss.com/blog/2025/02...
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
In an extraordinary display of public support, heads of state, heads of government, and foreign ministers from all over Europe and Canada are posting in support of Ukraine in response to the Oval Office meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy, and Vance.
February 28, 2025 at 10:26 PM
In an extraordinary display of public support, heads of state, heads of government, and foreign ministers from all over Europe and Canada are posting in support of Ukraine in response to the Oval Office meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy, and Vance.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
I’m very struck by the fact that kids who grow up in the TFL zone have basically free and highly efficient transport over a huge area whereas in other parts of the country our kids have to pay a lot of money for infrequent and unreliable transport. The impact that has on your horizons must be huge.
You can't have strong economic growth if you don't have a bus network.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023...
Bus services cut by more than 80% in parts of England and Wales since 2008, finds study
Research of timetables reveals ‘silent war’ on bus users outside London
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2024 at 8:27 AM
I’m very struck by the fact that kids who grow up in the TFL zone have basically free and highly efficient transport over a huge area whereas in other parts of the country our kids have to pay a lot of money for infrequent and unreliable transport. The impact that has on your horizons must be huge.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Are big bad badgers driving hedgehog declines in Britain? Hot off the press.. short answer is no says @richardyarnell.bsky.social. Very weak -ve relationship between the species but absolutely dwarfed by other factors, esp. road casualties. Read whole paper here: doi.org/10.1002/ece3... #hedgehogs 🦔
February 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Are big bad badgers driving hedgehog declines in Britain? Hot off the press.. short answer is no says @richardyarnell.bsky.social. Very weak -ve relationship between the species but absolutely dwarfed by other factors, esp. road casualties. Read whole paper here: doi.org/10.1002/ece3... #hedgehogs 🦔
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
📢 VACANCY
Could you be our next Social Media Support Officer?
We're looking for a social media whizz to support our output across multiple platforms
Check out the details & apply: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
Could you be our next Social Media Support Officer?
We're looking for a social media whizz to support our output across multiple platforms
Check out the details & apply: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
February 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
📢 VACANCY
Could you be our next Social Media Support Officer?
We're looking for a social media whizz to support our output across multiple platforms
Check out the details & apply: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
Could you be our next Social Media Support Officer?
We're looking for a social media whizz to support our output across multiple platforms
Check out the details & apply: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Several years ago I worked with Terry Maple to quantify usable space in zoo exhibits, but we were limited by what was technologically possible for us at the time. I'm very excited to see this new paper successfully using 3D photogrammetry to build the models more efficiently
doi.org/10.1002/ajp....
doi.org/10.1002/ajp....
Using 3D Photogrammetry to Quantify Usable Space in Zoo‐Housed Primate Habitats
Studies of zoo animal space use typically use ground-level measurements as a proxy for “usable space,” but this method ignores above ground areas that are behaviorally relevant to arboreal species. P...
doi.org
February 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Several years ago I worked with Terry Maple to quantify usable space in zoo exhibits, but we were limited by what was technologically possible for us at the time. I'm very excited to see this new paper successfully using 3D photogrammetry to build the models more efficiently
doi.org/10.1002/ajp....
doi.org/10.1002/ajp....
Throwback to my PhD fieldwork as I join the Tsaobis group meeting today
Love hearing about what these baboons have been up to since I was last out there
Love hearing about what these baboons have been up to since I was last out there
February 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Throwback to my PhD fieldwork as I join the Tsaobis group meeting today
Love hearing about what these baboons have been up to since I was last out there
Love hearing about what these baboons have been up to since I was last out there
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Hey #RStats here are some great new terms to add an R to to make a package name if you want to fuck with US science.
Just received an email saying that it's not advisable to include the following words in future applications for research funding to the US DOT. Here we are.
February 11, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Hey #RStats here are some great new terms to add an R to to make a package name if you want to fuck with US science.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Bird nests made from anti-bird spikes?! 🤯
Hi, I'm a nest researcher 👋 and new here on BlueSky, sharing the craziest #bird nests I've ever found. 👀 Today, I’m sharing my discovery of rebellious birds that build nests out of anti-bird spikes. And honestly, it's like telling a joke...
A thread. 🧵
Hi, I'm a nest researcher 👋 and new here on BlueSky, sharing the craziest #bird nests I've ever found. 👀 Today, I’m sharing my discovery of rebellious birds that build nests out of anti-bird spikes. And honestly, it's like telling a joke...
A thread. 🧵
February 4, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Bird nests made from anti-bird spikes?! 🤯
Hi, I'm a nest researcher 👋 and new here on BlueSky, sharing the craziest #bird nests I've ever found. 👀 Today, I’m sharing my discovery of rebellious birds that build nests out of anti-bird spikes. And honestly, it's like telling a joke...
A thread. 🧵
Hi, I'm a nest researcher 👋 and new here on BlueSky, sharing the craziest #bird nests I've ever found. 👀 Today, I’m sharing my discovery of rebellious birds that build nests out of anti-bird spikes. And honestly, it's like telling a joke...
A thread. 🧵
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
But now the ultimate finding, as we discovered that there are birds who build their nest using anti-bird spikes!! 🤯 So last year I published a paper describing this behaviour: the ultimate adaption to city life! 🏙️
(shout out to my co-author @schilthuizen.bsky.social! 👋)
(shout out to my co-author @schilthuizen.bsky.social! 👋)
February 4, 2025 at 9:56 PM
But now the ultimate finding, as we discovered that there are birds who build their nest using anti-bird spikes!! 🤯 So last year I published a paper describing this behaviour: the ultimate adaption to city life! 🏙️
(shout out to my co-author @schilthuizen.bsky.social! 👋)
(shout out to my co-author @schilthuizen.bsky.social! 👋)
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Well the award for most cowardly, boot-lickingest academic society has squarely gone to the American Society of Microbiology, who has taken down features of various non-white scientists. Absolutely pathetic behavior. Those articles are now coming up as “under review”. Truly sickening cowardice here.
February 3, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Well the award for most cowardly, boot-lickingest academic society has squarely gone to the American Society of Microbiology, who has taken down features of various non-white scientists. Absolutely pathetic behavior. Those articles are now coming up as “under review”. Truly sickening cowardice here.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
I think it’s really important we collectively tomato the shit out of them until they reinstate these articles to show other academic societies that complying in advance with fascists is not going to be tolerated among the scientific community. Leadership should be ashamed of themselves.
February 3, 2025 at 4:44 AM
I think it’s really important we collectively tomato the shit out of them until they reinstate these articles to show other academic societies that complying in advance with fascists is not going to be tolerated among the scientific community. Leadership should be ashamed of themselves.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Hello, Bluesky👋 We’re the Faculty of Biological Sciences @universityofleeds.bsky.social.
Follow this account to keep updated on the latest news and research stories from our community.
Follow this account to keep updated on the latest news and research stories from our community.
January 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Hello, Bluesky👋 We’re the Faculty of Biological Sciences @universityofleeds.bsky.social.
Follow this account to keep updated on the latest news and research stories from our community.
Follow this account to keep updated on the latest news and research stories from our community.
Reposted by Dr Cassandra Raby
Hey #WildlifeDisease & #conservation folk, please check out our survey on attitudes to parasite conservation.
Are parasites important for biodiversity, would you remove them to protect host welfare, or something more nuanced? We want to hear all views to improve guidance for practitioners 🪱🧪🌍🧵1/n
Are parasites important for biodiversity, would you remove them to protect host welfare, or something more nuanced? We want to hear all views to improve guidance for practitioners 🪱🧪🌍🧵1/n
January 29, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Hey #WildlifeDisease & #conservation folk, please check out our survey on attitudes to parasite conservation.
Are parasites important for biodiversity, would you remove them to protect host welfare, or something more nuanced? We want to hear all views to improve guidance for practitioners 🪱🧪🌍🧵1/n
Are parasites important for biodiversity, would you remove them to protect host welfare, or something more nuanced? We want to hear all views to improve guidance for practitioners 🪱🧪🌍🧵1/n