Jolinde Vlaeyen
@jolindevlaeyen.bsky.social
PhD Candidate at Osnabrueck University, studying communication skills (turn-taking) in wild bonobos
in Kokolopori, DRC, and wild dolphins around the Cedar Keys, Florida. She/her.
in Kokolopori, DRC, and wild dolphins around the Cedar Keys, Florida. She/her.
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Imagination in bonobos!
I am thrilled to share a new paper w/ Amalia Bastos, out now in @science.org
We provide the first experimental evidence that a nonhuman animal can follow along a pretend scenario & track imaginary objects. Work w/ Kanzi, the bonobo, at Ape Initiative
youtu.be/NUSHcQQz2Ko
I am thrilled to share a new paper w/ Amalia Bastos, out now in @science.org
We provide the first experimental evidence that a nonhuman animal can follow along a pretend scenario & track imaginary objects. Work w/ Kanzi, the bonobo, at Ape Initiative
youtu.be/NUSHcQQz2Ko
Apes Share Human Ability to Imagine
YouTube video by Johns Hopkins University
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Imagination in bonobos!
I am thrilled to share a new paper w/ Amalia Bastos, out now in @science.org
We provide the first experimental evidence that a nonhuman animal can follow along a pretend scenario & track imaginary objects. Work w/ Kanzi, the bonobo, at Ape Initiative
youtu.be/NUSHcQQz2Ko
I am thrilled to share a new paper w/ Amalia Bastos, out now in @science.org
We provide the first experimental evidence that a nonhuman animal can follow along a pretend scenario & track imaginary objects. Work w/ Kanzi, the bonobo, at Ape Initiative
youtu.be/NUSHcQQz2Ko
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
🚨New animal linguistics paper🚨
Together with @geoffreymesbahi.bsky.social and @maelmleroux.bsky.social, we tried to finally answer this question: Do titi monkeys have complex syntactic skills?
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Together with @geoffreymesbahi.bsky.social and @maelmleroux.bsky.social, we tried to finally answer this question: Do titi monkeys have complex syntactic skills?
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
The As and Bs of titi monkey linguistics: why emotional communication is not the enemy
The alarm call sequences of titi monkeys (genera Plecturocebus, Callicebus and Cheracebus) have sparked important debates over whether they exhibit parallels with human language. Some researchers con...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:31 PM
🚨New animal linguistics paper🚨
Together with @geoffreymesbahi.bsky.social and @maelmleroux.bsky.social, we tried to finally answer this question: Do titi monkeys have complex syntactic skills?
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Together with @geoffreymesbahi.bsky.social and @maelmleroux.bsky.social, we tried to finally answer this question: Do titi monkeys have complex syntactic skills?
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
New paper out👂📢🐒! We highlight the remarkable expertise of local field assistants at BCFS (Uganda) in interpreting chimpanzee pant-hoot calls—identifying who is calling, their age, sex, and context—revealing scientific knowledge built through years of experience. doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
January 21, 2026 at 8:53 AM
New paper out👂📢🐒! We highlight the remarkable expertise of local field assistants at BCFS (Uganda) in interpreting chimpanzee pant-hoot calls—identifying who is calling, their age, sex, and context—revealing scientific knowledge built through years of experience. doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
My first PhD paper is published! 🎉 We compared how wild bonobo and chimpanzee infants (0-5.5y) become independent from their mothers. Here is the open-access link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
🧵(1/5)
🧵(1/5)
Great Ape Childhoods: Social and Spatial Pathways to Independence in Bonobo and Chimpanzee Infants
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:19 PM
My first PhD paper is published! 🎉 We compared how wild bonobo and chimpanzee infants (0-5.5y) become independent from their mothers. Here is the open-access link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
🧵(1/5)
🧵(1/5)
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Very happy to have presented my poster today on vocal regulation of cooperation in meerkats at #ASABWinter2025 come chat to me tomorrow if you’re interested! 🤓
December 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Very happy to have presented my poster today on vocal regulation of cooperation in meerkats at #ASABWinter2025 come chat to me tomorrow if you’re interested! 🤓
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Commissions for 2026 are now open!
Researchers, labs, institutions:
I’m taking new projects. If you need scientific illustrations for figures, posters or presentations, contact me at lazaroillustration@gmail.com
Let’s bring your research to life with detailed, engaging art! #SciArt
Researchers, labs, institutions:
I’m taking new projects. If you need scientific illustrations for figures, posters or presentations, contact me at lazaroillustration@gmail.com
Let’s bring your research to life with detailed, engaging art! #SciArt
December 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Commissions for 2026 are now open!
Researchers, labs, institutions:
I’m taking new projects. If you need scientific illustrations for figures, posters or presentations, contact me at lazaroillustration@gmail.com
Let’s bring your research to life with detailed, engaging art! #SciArt
Researchers, labs, institutions:
I’m taking new projects. If you need scientific illustrations for figures, posters or presentations, contact me at lazaroillustration@gmail.com
Let’s bring your research to life with detailed, engaging art! #SciArt
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Not all sexual swellings signal fertility. Some signal strategy. In our new Current Biology paper, we show how gelada females “fake it” during male takeovers—and why it works.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Not all sexual swellings signal fertility. Some signal strategy. In our new Current Biology paper, we show how gelada females “fake it” during male takeovers—and why it works.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Fixed-term Research Assistant post in primate behaviour, likely desk based but good experience before applying for PhD funding. Join us at NTU! @ntupsychology.bsky.social
vacancies.ntu.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
vacancies.ntu.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Research Assistant in Primate Behaviour:City Campus
Join us as a Research Assistant in Primate Behaviour! Gain excellent experience and skills working with a range of primatologists across NTU. A great stepping stone before embarking on a PhD!
vacancies.ntu.ac.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Fixed-term Research Assistant post in primate behaviour, likely desk based but good experience before applying for PhD funding. Join us at NTU! @ntupsychology.bsky.social
vacancies.ntu.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
vacancies.ntu.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Now I'm also looking for a research software engineer to implement a pile of research results to R packages loo, posterior, bayesplot, projpred, priorsense, brms or/and Python packages ArviZ, Bambi and Kulprit. Apply by email with no specific deadline (see contact info at users.aalto.fi/~ave/)
I'm now also looking for a postdoc with strong Bayesian background and interest in developing Bayesian cross-validation theory, methods and software. Apply by email with no specific deadline (see contact information at users.aalto.fi/~ave/).
Others, please share
Others, please share
I'm looking for a doctoral student with Bayesian background to work on Bayesian workflow and cross-validation (see my publication list users.aalto.fi/~ave/publica... for my recent work) at Aalto University.
Apply through the ELLIS PhD program (dl October 31) ellis.eu/news/ellis-p...
Apply through the ELLIS PhD program (dl October 31) ellis.eu/news/ellis-p...
November 3, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Now I'm also looking for a research software engineer to implement a pile of research results to R packages loo, posterior, bayesplot, projpred, priorsense, brms or/and Python packages ArviZ, Bambi and Kulprit. Apply by email with no specific deadline (see contact info at users.aalto.fi/~ave/)
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Conversational turn-taking feels effortless, but it's a complex dance. We find social context—who you're talking to and what you're talking about—fundamentally changes conversational dynamics in both autistic & TD children. 1/
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... w @chrismmcox.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... w @chrismmcox.bsky.social
Social Context Matters for Turn‐Taking Dynamics: A Comparative Study of Autistic and Typically Developing Children
Engaging in fluent conversation is a surprisingly complex task that requires interlocutors to promptly respond to each other in a way that is appropriate to the social context. In this study, we dise...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Conversational turn-taking feels effortless, but it's a complex dance. We find social context—who you're talking to and what you're talking about—fundamentally changes conversational dynamics in both autistic & TD children. 1/
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... w @chrismmcox.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... w @chrismmcox.bsky.social
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
October 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes.
She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.
She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.
October 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes.
She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.
She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
“Jane Goodall was an amazing scientist who inspired people to see the natural world in a new way. She helped us to look at the animal kingdom with fresh eyes and with greater respect.
October 1, 2025 at 7:55 PM
“Jane Goodall was an amazing scientist who inspired people to see the natural world in a new way. She helped us to look at the animal kingdom with fresh eyes and with greater respect.
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
We are hiring - PDRA position exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in killer whales. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
September 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
We are hiring - PDRA position exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in killer whales. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
"For centuries, scientists and sailors have know that sperm whales hunted the 'giant squid', Architeuthis dux. Whale bodies are scarred with huge sucked marks and gashes from Archituthus. But the battles take place in deep water, far beyond where humans can easily travel…"
- Awesome stuff.
- Awesome stuff.
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
"For centuries, scientists and sailors have know that sperm whales hunted the 'giant squid', Architeuthis dux. Whale bodies are scarred with huge sucked marks and gashes from Archituthus. But the battles take place in deep water, far beyond where humans can easily travel…"
- Awesome stuff.
- Awesome stuff.
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
So happy that this paper lead by Joseph Mine is finally out! Was cool to be part of this project on the social learning of multi-modal communication in chimpanzees, which is slightly outside of my usual scope (and it’s my first co-authored paper too, yay!) :) journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Chimpanzee mothers, but not fathers, influence offspring vocal–visual communicative behavior
The influence of social versus genetic factors on communication in non-human hominids is not well understood. This study shows that, in line with their central caretaking role, chimpanzees exhibit pre...
journals.plos.org
August 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
So happy that this paper lead by Joseph Mine is finally out! Was cool to be part of this project on the social learning of multi-modal communication in chimpanzees, which is slightly outside of my usual scope (and it’s my first co-authored paper too, yay!) :) journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Bielefeld University seeks a postdoc for a 6-year scientific assistant position in Animal Behaviour, starting March 2026. Apply by Sept 10, 2025. More info: www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/arbeitsgruppen/behaviour #job
Animal Behaviour - Bielefeld University
With a team of over 50 people, the different research groups study animal behaviour within the framework of the four questions of Tinbergen, both in the lab and in the field. Current model systems include laboratory studies on zebra finches (
www.uni-bielefeld.de
July 26, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Bielefeld University seeks a postdoc for a 6-year scientific assistant position in Animal Behaviour, starting March 2026. Apply by Sept 10, 2025. More info: www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/arbeitsgruppen/behaviour #job
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Cambridge Elements are free to download until 7/25-check out my little book How To Study Animal Minds. I had fun writing this one, and I'll never forget how nervous I was in front of a bunch of scientist friends, including Sara Shettleworth, hearing their thoughts on the draft! tinyurl.com/3yy6a52c
How to Study Animal Minds
Cambridge Core - Philosophy of Science - How to Study Animal Minds
www.cambridge.org
July 22, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Cambridge Elements are free to download until 7/25-check out my little book How To Study Animal Minds. I had fun writing this one, and I'll never forget how nervous I was in front of a bunch of scientist friends, including Sara Shettleworth, hearing their thoughts on the draft! tinyurl.com/3yy6a52c
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Our latest paper is out in Proceedings of the Royal Society B 📄! We investigated the behavioral context of social calls in humpback whale calves. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
December 18, 2024 at 3:37 AM
Our latest paper is out in Proceedings of the Royal Society B 📄! We investigated the behavioral context of social calls in humpback whale calves. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Although people sometimes talk over each other, we are capable of effective turn-taking in conversation. A unique human trait?
Not really, @kaylakolff.bsky.social & Simone Pika write—other animals do so, too, like chimpanzees while grooming:
buff.ly/UyG2Fzm
Not really, @kaylakolff.bsky.social & Simone Pika write—other animals do so, too, like chimpanzees while grooming:
buff.ly/UyG2Fzm
July 16, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Although people sometimes talk over each other, we are capable of effective turn-taking in conversation. A unique human trait?
Not really, @kaylakolff.bsky.social & Simone Pika write—other animals do so, too, like chimpanzees while grooming:
buff.ly/UyG2Fzm
Not really, @kaylakolff.bsky.social & Simone Pika write—other animals do so, too, like chimpanzees while grooming:
buff.ly/UyG2Fzm
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
Could you lead a scientific meeting dedicated to your area of research?
Fast-forward scientific progress in your field by assembling global scientists for two days of discussion and collaboration. Proposals are considered twice a year.
Submit by 24 September 2025: royalsociety.org/science-even...
Fast-forward scientific progress in your field by assembling global scientists for two days of discussion and collaboration. Proposals are considered twice a year.
Submit by 24 September 2025: royalsociety.org/science-even...
July 15, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Could you lead a scientific meeting dedicated to your area of research?
Fast-forward scientific progress in your field by assembling global scientists for two days of discussion and collaboration. Proposals are considered twice a year.
Submit by 24 September 2025: royalsociety.org/science-even...
Fast-forward scientific progress in your field by assembling global scientists for two days of discussion and collaboration. Proposals are considered twice a year.
Submit by 24 September 2025: royalsociety.org/science-even...
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
I rarely spam you with my sales, but allow me a quick reminder that all my prints are 20% OFF in my art prints store: www.inprnt.com/gallery/javi...
Thanks for your support! 😇
Thanks for your support! 😇
July 15, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I rarely spam you with my sales, but allow me a quick reminder that all my prints are 20% OFF in my art prints store: www.inprnt.com/gallery/javi...
Thanks for your support! 😇
Thanks for your support! 😇
Reposted by Jolinde Vlaeyen
🚨Second PhD chapter is out today! We show that elephants gesture intentionally to ask humans for food using many different gesture types!
Check it out 👉 tinyurl.com/elephant-int...
🧵TLDR 1/16
Check it out 👉 tinyurl.com/elephant-int...
🧵TLDR 1/16
a baby elephant eating leaves from a tree with the word mealtime written below it
ALT: a baby elephant eating leaves from a tree with the word mealtime written below it
media.tenor.com
July 9, 2025 at 9:04 AM
🚨Second PhD chapter is out today! We show that elephants gesture intentionally to ask humans for food using many different gesture types!
Check it out 👉 tinyurl.com/elephant-int...
🧵TLDR 1/16
Check it out 👉 tinyurl.com/elephant-int...
🧵TLDR 1/16