Sean Rands
@seanrands.bsky.social
Behavioural ecologist @ University of Bristol, interested in the rules and mechanisms of behavioural/ecological interactions in a whole host of different systems. Easily distracted.
webby stuff: www.seanrands.com
webby stuff: www.seanrands.com
Pinned
We're open for abstract submission, and look forward to welcoming you all to Bristol in March!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
Reposted by Sean Rands
If you work on corvid ecology, behaviour, cognition, or conservation, this might be useful for you 👇
I’ve just published CORVIDATA in Scientific Data 🐦
doi.org/10.1038/s415... (1/4)
I’ve just published CORVIDATA in Scientific Data 🐦
doi.org/10.1038/s415... (1/4)
CORVIDATA: A global dataset of morphology, ecology, sociality, and life-history in Corvidae - Scientific Data
Scientific Data - CORVIDATA: A global dataset of morphology, ecology, sociality, and life-history in Corvidae
doi.org
January 6, 2026 at 10:40 AM
If you work on corvid ecology, behaviour, cognition, or conservation, this might be useful for you 👇
I’ve just published CORVIDATA in Scientific Data 🐦
doi.org/10.1038/s415... (1/4)
I’ve just published CORVIDATA in Scientific Data 🐦
doi.org/10.1038/s415... (1/4)
Reposted by Sean Rands
Christmas is over, time to think about spring!!!! 🌼 🌹 🌺 #ASABSpring2026
Registration for #ASABSpring2026 is now open!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Don't forget the travel grant AND abstract deadlines are Feb 1!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Don't forget the travel grant AND abstract deadlines are Feb 1!
December 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Christmas is over, time to think about spring!!!! 🌼 🌹 🌺 #ASABSpring2026
Reposted by Sean Rands
Like a tiny heart beating in time, this deep-sea jellyfish — Periphylla — pulses through the Ocean’s midwater. ROV pilots filmed this luminescent beauty at 920m along Argentina’s continental shelf, off the coast of Buenos Aires #ArgentinianDeepSeeps Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute
December 23, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Like a tiny heart beating in time, this deep-sea jellyfish — Periphylla — pulses through the Ocean’s midwater. ROV pilots filmed this luminescent beauty at 920m along Argentina’s continental shelf, off the coast of Buenos Aires #ArgentinianDeepSeeps Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute
Reposted by Sean Rands
Take note! 📝 There are a lot of important dates coming up for #ASABSpring2026 and #ECBB2026 🗓️
More information here: www.asab.org/conferences-...
More information here: www.asab.org/conferences-...
December 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Take note! 📝 There are a lot of important dates coming up for #ASABSpring2026 and #ECBB2026 🗓️
More information here: www.asab.org/conferences-...
More information here: www.asab.org/conferences-...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Registration for #ASABSpring2026 is now open!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Don't forget the travel grant AND abstract deadlines are Feb 1!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Don't forget the travel grant AND abstract deadlines are Feb 1!
December 23, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Registration for #ASABSpring2026 is now open!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Don't forget the travel grant AND abstract deadlines are Feb 1!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Don't forget the travel grant AND abstract deadlines are Feb 1!
Reposted by Sean Rands
We're open for abstract submission, and look forward to welcoming you all to Bristol in March!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
December 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
We're open for abstract submission, and look forward to welcoming you all to Bristol in March!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
Reposted by Sean Rands
Parasite-induced behavioural changes in hosts: competitively funded PhD project in the UK (lead supervisor Vicky Hunt in
@milnerevolution.bsky.social, including me as second supervisor), open to students worldwide. Deadline 8th January 2026 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
@milnerevolution.bsky.social, including me as second supervisor), open to students worldwide. Deadline 8th January 2026 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
GW4+ DLTP PhD Project: Ecological consequences of parasite-driven erratic behaviour at University of Bath on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - GW4+ DLTP PhD Project: Ecological consequences of parasite-driven erratic behaviour at University of Bath, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Parasite-induced behavioural changes in hosts: competitively funded PhD project in the UK (lead supervisor Vicky Hunt in
@milnerevolution.bsky.social, including me as second supervisor), open to students worldwide. Deadline 8th January 2026 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
@milnerevolution.bsky.social, including me as second supervisor), open to students worldwide. Deadline 8th January 2026 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
We're open for abstract submission, and look forward to welcoming you all to Bristol in March!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
December 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
We're open for abstract submission, and look forward to welcoming you all to Bristol in March!
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
@asab-meetings.bsky.social #ASABSpring2026
The ASAB Spring Conference comes to Bristol! 23rd-25th March 2026.
Abstract submission now open, closes 1st February.
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Abstract submission now open, closes 1st February.
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
December 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
The ASAB Spring Conference comes to Bristol! 23rd-25th March 2026.
Abstract submission now open, closes 1st February.
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Abstract submission now open, closes 1st February.
asab-spring-conference2026.github.io
Reposted by Sean Rands
Still looking for the perfect gift? 📚
Discover our latest book, 'How To Be A Dragonfly', full of wonder for young explorers ✨🐉
buff.ly/9q7jzxl
Available from Amazon, @waterstones.bsky.social and other retailers.
#ChildrensBooks #Dragonflies #Bookstagram
Discover our latest book, 'How To Be A Dragonfly', full of wonder for young explorers ✨🐉
buff.ly/9q7jzxl
Available from Amazon, @waterstones.bsky.social and other retailers.
#ChildrensBooks #Dragonflies #Bookstagram
How To Be A Dragonfly
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Still looking for the perfect gift? 📚
Discover our latest book, 'How To Be A Dragonfly', full of wonder for young explorers ✨🐉
buff.ly/9q7jzxl
Available from Amazon, @waterstones.bsky.social and other retailers.
#ChildrensBooks #Dragonflies #Bookstagram
Discover our latest book, 'How To Be A Dragonfly', full of wonder for young explorers ✨🐉
buff.ly/9q7jzxl
Available from Amazon, @waterstones.bsky.social and other retailers.
#ChildrensBooks #Dragonflies #Bookstagram
Reposted by Sean Rands
Ever considered joining the #RESAgForestEnt team?
We are seeking an active researcher in the field to join our team as Editor-in-Chief.
Think you might fit the bill? Learn more ⬇️
www.royensoc.co.uk/opportunities/eic-afe-2026/
Deadline: 15 January 2026
@royentsoc.bsky.social @wileyeco.bsky.social
We are seeking an active researcher in the field to join our team as Editor-in-Chief.
Think you might fit the bill? Learn more ⬇️
www.royensoc.co.uk/opportunities/eic-afe-2026/
Deadline: 15 January 2026
@royentsoc.bsky.social @wileyeco.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Ever considered joining the #RESAgForestEnt team?
We are seeking an active researcher in the field to join our team as Editor-in-Chief.
Think you might fit the bill? Learn more ⬇️
www.royensoc.co.uk/opportunities/eic-afe-2026/
Deadline: 15 January 2026
@royentsoc.bsky.social @wileyeco.bsky.social
We are seeking an active researcher in the field to join our team as Editor-in-Chief.
Think you might fit the bill? Learn more ⬇️
www.royensoc.co.uk/opportunities/eic-afe-2026/
Deadline: 15 January 2026
@royentsoc.bsky.social @wileyeco.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Rands
Out today!
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
December 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Out today!
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
Innovations in Decolonising the Curriculum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.
I am happy (with @kztwyman.bsky.social & Jasmeen Kanwal) to have contributed a chapter – "Teaching the Science of Race and Racism" – to this important book that "moves beyond debate to action"
Please do read.
This story highlights a really interesting bit of interdisciplinary science, picking apart an ancient pollination syndrome with some compelling new experimental evidence.
New research of strange “cycad” plants offers a glimpse into the prehistoric origins of pollination
Before Flowers Existed, Ancient Cycad Plants Lured Insects With Heat
New research of strange “cycad” plants offers a glimpse into the prehistoric origins of pollination
www.scientificamerican.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:36 PM
This story highlights a really interesting bit of interdisciplinary science, picking apart an ancient pollination syndrome with some compelling new experimental evidence.
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
Fully funded #PhD studentships, start Sept 2026:
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
👇 Exciting PhD studentships with an awesome team 👇
Reposted by Sean Rands
Fully funded #PhD studentships, start Sept 2026:
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Fully funded #PhD studentships, start Sept 2026:
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
1. Weaponry and aggression in wild fiddler crabs, with me, Safi Darden, Martin How tinyurl.com/weaponsPhD
2. The emotional basis of behaviour, with me, Danny Williamson, Andy Higginson tinyurl.com/emotionsPhD
#AnimalBehaviour @crab-exeter.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Rands
🏆 Celebrating outstanding contributions to zoology and conservation science 🏆
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
December 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
🏆 Celebrating outstanding contributions to zoology and conservation science 🏆
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
ZSL’s programme of science and conservation awards recognise remarkable contributions of outstanding individuals. Just take a look at this year’s winners!
Reposted by Sean Rands
Honoured & humbled to receive a #Nature #Award for #Mentoring in #Science yesterday. ☺️
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
December 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Honoured & humbled to receive a #Nature #Award for #Mentoring in #Science yesterday. ☺️
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
Testament to the wonderful #ECRs I've been privileged to work with. THANK YOU to all who nominated me. 🙏
#proud #support
@natureportfolio.nature.com @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
Reposted by Sean Rands
blown away by this, given the names of previous winners - recent and not so recent - hugely grateful to @zslofficial.bsky.social, and all the many students, postgrads, postdocs and collaborators who have helped make the last 14 years so fun and exciting
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
The ZSL Scientific Medal is also awarded to Professor Stephen Montgomery, @bristolbiosci.bsky.social whose research has provided insights into the relationships between ecological niche specialisation, brain structure, and cognitive function 🏅 @ebablab.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
blown away by this, given the names of previous winners - recent and not so recent - hugely grateful to @zslofficial.bsky.social, and all the many students, postgrads, postdocs and collaborators who have helped make the last 14 years so fun and exciting
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Will go back to avoiding cameras now… 🫣
Reposted by Sean Rands
I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant to work on ant nest architecture over the next 5 year!🐜🏛️
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
December 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant to work on ant nest architecture over the next 5 year!🐜🏛️
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
Huge thanks to my collaborators, students, mentors, and colleagues for their support along the way!
#ERC #EUfunding #ResearchExcellence #Science
Reposted by Sean Rands
In an interview with BBC News, Sir Paul Nurse PRS says that visa restrictions are endangering the UK economy: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
Prof Sir Paul Nurse says the UK is
www.bbc.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:20 AM
In an interview with BBC News, Sir Paul Nurse PRS says that visa restrictions are endangering the UK economy: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Congratulations to Ed Drewitt on this latest publication from his PhD; this one is on parental provisioning of urban-breeding Peregrine Falcons :) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Parental Provisioning in an Urban Apex Predator
We combine high-definition webcams and citizen science to explore parental care in urban peregrine falcons from 30 locations across England between 2020 and 2023. By analysing detailed webcam footage...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Congratulations to Ed Drewitt on this latest publication from his PhD; this one is on parental provisioning of urban-breeding Peregrine Falcons :) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Sean Rands
🚨New #behavioural #mimicry paper out in Proc B!🚨
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Nature’s greatest method actors: the insects that cosplay bumblebees
When you’re an animal undercover, sometimes it’s not enough just to look like someone else
theconversation.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:36 PM
🚨New #behavioural #mimicry paper out in Proc B!🚨
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
In which we show that hoverflies have evolved to prefer the flower colour choices of their #bee models instead of their #fly relatives.
Conversation article here: theconversation.com/natures-grea...
Paper here: doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Reposted by Sean Rands
The perfect Christmas gift for the stats-nerd in your life. www.ecoexplore.co.uk/products/p/d...
Data Analysis for Scientists using R Statistical Software — Eco-Explore
R is a very powerful statistical software package that is free to download and use on your own computer. Our 150-page guidebook is designed to help you quickly to become familiar with R and to ex...
www.ecoexplore.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 1:46 AM
The perfect Christmas gift for the stats-nerd in your life. www.ecoexplore.co.uk/products/p/d...
Today's view from the office.
December 3, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Today's view from the office.
Reposted by Sean Rands
👋to @josharbon.bsky.social who has completed a truly outstanding #NERC-funded postdoc investigating #pre-emptive #behaviour in relation to #intergroup #conflict 👏
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
December 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
👋to @josharbon.bsky.social who has completed a truly outstanding #NERC-funded postdoc investigating #pre-emptive #behaviour in relation to #intergroup #conflict 👏
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh