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
Reposted by Sean Rands
Given that photosynthesis requires light, then how do plants cope with living in the shade? 🌿☀️ Kerry Franklin and Heather Whitney from @bristolbiosci.bsky.social were on BBC Gardener's World yesterday, explaining how...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Gardeners' World - 2025: Episode 30
Frances Tophill is back at Damson Farm, lending a hand with autumn jobs in the garden. Nick Bailey explores the science of how sun-loving plants must adapt to survive and thrive in the shade.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Given that photosynthesis requires light, then how do plants cope with living in the shade? 🌿☀️ Kerry Franklin and Heather Whitney from @bristolbiosci.bsky.social were on BBC Gardener's World yesterday, explaining how...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Sean Rands
3 year postdoc funded by @ukri.org NERC on between-group cooperation in the Shark Bay dolphins is now live - please share widely 🙏 www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
Details | Working at Bristol | University of Bristol
University of Bristol Beacon House Queens Road Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000 Contact us
www.bristol.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:43 AM
3 year postdoc funded by @ukri.org NERC on between-group cooperation in the Shark Bay dolphins is now live - please share widely 🙏 www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
Reposted by Sean Rands
🪸 Two weeks to go! Please apply for this Postdoc position! 🪸
🪸 🪸 🪸 Postdoc position in my group at Bristol to study the role of venom in surviving environmental stress in corals! 🪸 Interested in venom biochemistry and coral ecology?Please apply by November 24!
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 AM
🪸 Two weeks to go! Please apply for this Postdoc position! 🪸
Given that photosynthesis requires light, then how do plants cope with living in the shade? 🌿☀️ Kerry Franklin and Heather Whitney from @bristolbiosci.bsky.social were on BBC Gardener's World yesterday, explaining how...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Gardeners' World - 2025: Episode 30
Frances Tophill is back at Damson Farm, lending a hand with autumn jobs in the garden. Nick Bailey explores the science of how sun-loving plants must adapt to survive and thrive in the shade.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Given that photosynthesis requires light, then how do plants cope with living in the shade? 🌿☀️ Kerry Franklin and Heather Whitney from @bristolbiosci.bsky.social were on BBC Gardener's World yesterday, explaining how...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Starts 32:42 at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Looking for a PhD? 🦜
Interested in ornithology, animal behaviour, bioacoustics?
I am advertising a PhD on vocal communication in ring-necked parakeets tinyurl.com/44a3hcnz
Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for University of Salford Widening Participation Scholarships tinyurl.com/4wtzzh3z
Interested in ornithology, animal behaviour, bioacoustics?
I am advertising a PhD on vocal communication in ring-necked parakeets tinyurl.com/44a3hcnz
Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for University of Salford Widening Participation Scholarships tinyurl.com/4wtzzh3z
Genetic and Acoustic Diversity in an Invasive Parrot at University of Salford on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Genetic and Acoustic Diversity in an Invasive Parrot at University of Salford, listed on FindAPhD.com
tinyurl.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Looking for a PhD? 🦜
Interested in ornithology, animal behaviour, bioacoustics?
I am advertising a PhD on vocal communication in ring-necked parakeets tinyurl.com/44a3hcnz
Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for University of Salford Widening Participation Scholarships tinyurl.com/4wtzzh3z
Interested in ornithology, animal behaviour, bioacoustics?
I am advertising a PhD on vocal communication in ring-necked parakeets tinyurl.com/44a3hcnz
Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for University of Salford Widening Participation Scholarships tinyurl.com/4wtzzh3z
Reposted by Sean Rands
A young PI here in Mainz has a fabulous PhD position that will be filled soon! By you? Keywords: Social insects, ageing, gene expression. www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
Behavioural Ecology and Social Evolution
www.blogs.uni-mainz.de
October 29, 2025 at 8:36 AM
A young PI here in Mainz has a fabulous PhD position that will be filled soon! By you? Keywords: Social insects, ageing, gene expression. www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
I was witness to a dragon fight in Glastonbury yesterday. The white dragon won, so it looks like winter's now on its way...
October 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I was witness to a dragon fight in Glastonbury yesterday. The white dragon won, so it looks like winter's now on its way...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Congratulations to Lynne on being awarded the British Ecological Society President's Medal, in recognition of her long career in fungal ecology - a wonderful researcher, educator and colleague!
Professor Lynne Boddy, recipient of the President's medal.
October 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Congratulations to Lynne on being awarded the British Ecological Society President's Medal, in recognition of her long career in fungal ecology - a wonderful researcher, educator and colleague!
Reposted by Sean Rands
Looking for a PhD that combines global food security, climate change and environmental protection? Then read on...
The amazing #JoleahLamb is joining us in 2026 @bristolbiosci.bsky.social. You can join too with this exciting fully-funded PhD opportunity:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
The amazing #JoleahLamb is joining us in 2026 @bristolbiosci.bsky.social. You can join too with this exciting fully-funded PhD opportunity:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Funded PhD - Nutritional value and vulnerability of blue foods at University of Bristol on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Funded PhD - Nutritional value and vulnerability of blue foods at University of Bristol, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Looking for a PhD that combines global food security, climate change and environmental protection? Then read on...
The amazing #JoleahLamb is joining us in 2026 @bristolbiosci.bsky.social. You can join too with this exciting fully-funded PhD opportunity:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
The amazing #JoleahLamb is joining us in 2026 @bristolbiosci.bsky.social. You can join too with this exciting fully-funded PhD opportunity:
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Sean Rands
We had two papers out in Science and Scientific Reports in the past week - I couldn't be happier!
Science paper on architectural immunity:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientific Reports paper on the synergistic interaction between new-generation pesticide and disease:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Science paper on architectural immunity:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientific Reports paper on the synergistic interaction between new-generation pesticide and disease:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Architectural immunity: Ants alter their nest networks to prevent epidemics
In animal groups, spatial structure shapes social interaction patterns, thereby influencing the transmission of infectious diseases. Active modifications to the spatial environment could therefore be ...
www.science.org
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
We had two papers out in Science and Scientific Reports in the past week - I couldn't be happier!
Science paper on architectural immunity:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientific Reports paper on the synergistic interaction between new-generation pesticide and disease:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Science paper on architectural immunity:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientific Reports paper on the synergistic interaction between new-generation pesticide and disease:
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Reposted by Sean Rands
📣 Fully-funded PhD opportunity in my Lab @bristolbiosci.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social
🔬We will explore how coral larvae sense their environment and guide settlement.
Check out the details! 👇
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#Coral #SensoryEcology #PhD #MarineScience
🔬We will explore how coral larvae sense their environment and guide settlement.
Check out the details! 👇
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#Coral #SensoryEcology #PhD #MarineScience
October 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
📣 Fully-funded PhD opportunity in my Lab @bristolbiosci.bsky.social @bristoluni.bsky.social
🔬We will explore how coral larvae sense their environment and guide settlement.
Check out the details! 👇
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#Coral #SensoryEcology #PhD #MarineScience
🔬We will explore how coral larvae sense their environment and guide settlement.
Check out the details! 👇
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#Coral #SensoryEcology #PhD #MarineScience
Welcome! ... and studentship 👇
Exciting times ahead - I'm beyond delighted to be joining @bristolbiosci.bsky.social in 2026! 🎉🕷️🎉🐌🎉
I'm also looking for a PhD student to join @multipleye-lab.bsky.social in our new home! Come and study the effects of light pollution on the evolution and development of spider eyes with us 🌃🕷️👀 👇
I'm also looking for a PhD student to join @multipleye-lab.bsky.social in our new home! Come and study the effects of light pollution on the evolution and development of spider eyes with us 🌃🕷️👀 👇
October 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Welcome! ... and studentship 👇
Woo! So well deserved, Rob!
This was a lovely surprise and honour, to receive the 2025 Marsh Award for Ornithology from the British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social, at this evening’s opening of the Society of Wildlife Artists’ annual exhibition.
The Marsh Award for Ornithology goes to Dr. Rob Thomas! @robthomasbirds.bsky.social has made a huge contribution to ornithology through academic research, teaching & mentorship that’s inspired generations of students. He’s also published a monograph on the Storm-petrels. @marshawards.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Woo! So well deserved, Rob!
Reposted by Sean Rands
The Marsh Award for Ornithology goes to Dr. Rob Thomas! @robthomasbirds.bsky.social has made a huge contribution to ornithology through academic research, teaching & mentorship that’s inspired generations of students. He’s also published a monograph on the Storm-petrels. @marshawards.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The Marsh Award for Ornithology goes to Dr. Rob Thomas! @robthomasbirds.bsky.social has made a huge contribution to ornithology through academic research, teaching & mentorship that’s inspired generations of students. He’s also published a monograph on the Storm-petrels. @marshawards.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Rands
Our new paper is out! @camillasoravia.bsky.social leads this research, which looks into the relationship between heat- mediated cognitive impairment and the antipredator response in wild pied babblers. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Investigating the relationship between heat-mediated cognitive impairment and antipredator response in a wild bird | Royal Society Open Science
Increasingly frequent heatwaves require animals to spend more time thermoregulating
at the expense of other fitness-related behaviours. Emerging evidence also indicates
that high temperatures can impa...
royalsocietypublishing.org
October 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Our new paper is out! @camillasoravia.bsky.social leads this research, which looks into the relationship between heat- mediated cognitive impairment and the antipredator response in wild pied babblers. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Prof Tim Caro and I both feature in this BBC World Service radio show about why zebra have stripes. Catch it at 8:30pm GMT on Fri 3rd Oct or replay on the link below. @bristolbiosci.bsky.social @ecologyofvision.bsky.social
BBC World Service - CrowdScience, Why are some animals black and white?
Why are zebras so stripy? Why do penguins wear tuxedos?
www.bbc.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Prof Tim Caro and I both feature in this BBC World Service radio show about why zebra have stripes. Catch it at 8:30pm GMT on Fri 3rd Oct or replay on the link below. @bristolbiosci.bsky.social @ecologyofvision.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Rands
🥳Excited to share our latest collaborative work using whole-cell models and #AI to design genomes!🦠🧬 What a time to be alive! Project led by Ioana Gherman, with Kieren Sharma, Joshua Rees-Garbutt, Claire Grierson, Lucia Marucci, Wei Pang & Zahraa Abdallah #synbio authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
September 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
🥳Excited to share our latest collaborative work using whole-cell models and #AI to design genomes!🦠🧬 What a time to be alive! Project led by Ioana Gherman, with Kieren Sharma, Joshua Rees-Garbutt, Claire Grierson, Lucia Marucci, Wei Pang & Zahraa Abdallah #synbio authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
Reposted by Sean Rands
My new book 'Modelling Evolution' is now published! Please share. Available for free download for 2 weeks with this link: www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Modelling Evolution
Cambridge Core - Philosophy of Science - Modelling Evolution
www.cambridge.org
September 22, 2025 at 12:58 PM
My new book 'Modelling Evolution' is now published! Please share. Available for free download for 2 weeks with this link: www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Exciting news to share! I have started my new role as a Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology / Director of MSc Bioinformatics program at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Exciting news to share! I have started my new role as a Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology / Director of MSc Bioinformatics program at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol @bristolbiosci.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Rands
NetLogo 7 is here!!
✨New modern UI with dark mode
🔧Performance improvements & new features
👉Download: www.netlogo.org/download
📣 Full announcement: www.netlogo.org/announcements/
#NetLogo #AgentBasedModeling #ABM #ComplexSystems
✨New modern UI with dark mode
🔧Performance improvements & new features
👉Download: www.netlogo.org/download
📣 Full announcement: www.netlogo.org/announcements/
#NetLogo #AgentBasedModeling #ABM #ComplexSystems
September 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
NetLogo 7 is here!!
✨New modern UI with dark mode
🔧Performance improvements & new features
👉Download: www.netlogo.org/download
📣 Full announcement: www.netlogo.org/announcements/
#NetLogo #AgentBasedModeling #ABM #ComplexSystems
✨New modern UI with dark mode
🔧Performance improvements & new features
👉Download: www.netlogo.org/download
📣 Full announcement: www.netlogo.org/announcements/
#NetLogo #AgentBasedModeling #ABM #ComplexSystems
Reposted by Sean Rands
Arthur Yambayamba's first PhD chapter is out today @biotropica.bsky.social 🍾
Using NFI data from Zambia we explore how climate and competition shape the crown allometries of Miombo woodlands 🌳📐
📜 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Using NFI data from Zambia we explore how climate and competition shape the crown allometries of Miombo woodlands 🌳📐
📜 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
September 9, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Arthur Yambayamba's first PhD chapter is out today @biotropica.bsky.social 🍾
Using NFI data from Zambia we explore how climate and competition shape the crown allometries of Miombo woodlands 🌳📐
📜 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Using NFI data from Zambia we explore how climate and competition shape the crown allometries of Miombo woodlands 🌳📐
📜 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Sean Rands
Only one week left for active and enthusiastic researchers to join two of our Editorial Board teams! 🪲
📢 Vacancies are open! Why not consider applying?
#RESAgForestEnt Commissioning Editor: buff.ly/kCN1Fah
#RESPhysEnt Reviews Editor: buff.ly/SJ8h79l
Deadlines: 15 September 2025 ⏰
📢 Vacancies are open! Why not consider applying?
#RESAgForestEnt Commissioning Editor: buff.ly/kCN1Fah
#RESPhysEnt Reviews Editor: buff.ly/SJ8h79l
Deadlines: 15 September 2025 ⏰
September 8, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Only one week left for active and enthusiastic researchers to join two of our Editorial Board teams! 🪲
📢 Vacancies are open! Why not consider applying?
#RESAgForestEnt Commissioning Editor: buff.ly/kCN1Fah
#RESPhysEnt Reviews Editor: buff.ly/SJ8h79l
Deadlines: 15 September 2025 ⏰
📢 Vacancies are open! Why not consider applying?
#RESAgForestEnt Commissioning Editor: buff.ly/kCN1Fah
#RESPhysEnt Reviews Editor: buff.ly/SJ8h79l
Deadlines: 15 September 2025 ⏰
Reposted by Sean Rands
New paper (first work from Bristol!)
'Sulfoxaflor impairs bumblebee memory across moderate and extreme temperatures'
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
'Sulfoxaflor impairs bumblebee memory across moderate and extreme temperatures'
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Sulfoxaflor Impairs Bumblebee Memory Across Moderate and Extreme Temperatures
Bumblebees rely on their memory to navigate a complicated landscape and floral marketplace. When foraging, bees are often exposed to a multitude of anthropogenic stressors, but how these stressors in...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:32 AM
New paper (first work from Bristol!)
'Sulfoxaflor impairs bumblebee memory across moderate and extreme temperatures'
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
'Sulfoxaflor impairs bumblebee memory across moderate and extreme temperatures'
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Sean Rands
☀️New Paper!☀️ In @ecol-evol.bsky.social
Dwarf mongooses lose body mass in hot weather due to limited behavioural plasticity
With top co-authors: @josharbon.bsky.social, Amy Morris-Drake, @juliekern.bsky.social, @andyradford.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71963
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
🧵⬇️
Dwarf mongooses lose body mass in hot weather due to limited behavioural plasticity
With top co-authors: @josharbon.bsky.social, Amy Morris-Drake, @juliekern.bsky.social, @andyradford.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71963
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
🧵⬇️
Dwarf Mongooses Lose Body Mass in Hot Weather due to Limited Behavioural Plasticity
Using long-term data from wild dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula), we demonstrate that on hot days (≥ 35°C) compared to matched cooler ones (≤ 33°C), mongooses emerged and commenced foraging earlier ...
doi.org
September 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
☀️New Paper!☀️ In @ecol-evol.bsky.social
Dwarf mongooses lose body mass in hot weather due to limited behavioural plasticity
With top co-authors: @josharbon.bsky.social, Amy Morris-Drake, @juliekern.bsky.social, @andyradford.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71963
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
🧵⬇️
Dwarf mongooses lose body mass in hot weather due to limited behavioural plasticity
With top co-authors: @josharbon.bsky.social, Amy Morris-Drake, @juliekern.bsky.social, @andyradford.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71963
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
🧵⬇️
Reposted by Sean Rands
To be, or not to be, part-time in academia?
This is a tricky question that has faced many of us and in @elife.bsky.social we discuss the benefits and challenges of being part-time. With @emiliapsantos.bsky.social and a fantastic, interdisciplinary team!
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
This is a tricky question that has faced many of us and in @elife.bsky.social we discuss the benefits and challenges of being part-time. With @emiliapsantos.bsky.social and a fantastic, interdisciplinary team!
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
Point of View: To be, or not to be, part-time in academia
Part-time working can be beneficial for individual academics, and also for academia as a whole.
elifesciences.org
February 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM
To be, or not to be, part-time in academia?
This is a tricky question that has faced many of us and in @elife.bsky.social we discuss the benefits and challenges of being part-time. With @emiliapsantos.bsky.social and a fantastic, interdisciplinary team!
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
This is a tricky question that has faced many of us and in @elife.bsky.social we discuss the benefits and challenges of being part-time. With @emiliapsantos.bsky.social and a fantastic, interdisciplinary team!
elifesciences.org/articles/106...