Zanna Clay
@zannaclay.bsky.social
Professor, Psychology- Durham University. Comparative Cognition and Cross-Cultural Development Lab. Primatology, developmental psychology, bonobos, chimpanzees. Interested in evolution and development of empathy, language, culture, social cognition
Next Friday 24th October at 1pm, I will be giving my Inugural Lecture!
All are extremely welcome. If you would like to attend online (or in person), please can you complete this form? Then I can send you a meeting link and/or if you'd like the recording
forms.gle/UZmAMt5VXNZN...
All are extremely welcome. If you would like to attend online (or in person), please can you complete this form? Then I can send you a meeting link and/or if you'd like the recording
forms.gle/UZmAMt5VXNZN...
October 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Next Friday 24th October at 1pm, I will be giving my Inugural Lecture!
All are extremely welcome. If you would like to attend online (or in person), please can you complete this form? Then I can send you a meeting link and/or if you'd like the recording
forms.gle/UZmAMt5VXNZN...
All are extremely welcome. If you would like to attend online (or in person), please can you complete this form? Then I can send you a meeting link and/or if you'd like the recording
forms.gle/UZmAMt5VXNZN...
Reposted by Zanna Clay
@zannaclay.bsky.social delivering the first Frans de Waal lecture at #CBEN in Antwerp. Terrific talk on the evolution of empathy and a fantastic homage to Frans de Waal's work and legacy. #evosky #philsky #animalbehaviour 🧪
September 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
@zannaclay.bsky.social delivering the first Frans de Waal lecture at #CBEN in Antwerp. Terrific talk on the evolution of empathy and a fantastic homage to Frans de Waal's work and legacy. #evosky #philsky #animalbehaviour 🧪
Woo new paper! Cross-cultural investigation into maternal responses to infant distress
How babies are soothed may be more important than how quickly, which vary cross-culturally
w/Carlo Vreden & team in #DevelopmentalPsychology!
Open-access link + thread 👇
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
How babies are soothed may be more important than how quickly, which vary cross-culturally
w/Carlo Vreden & team in #DevelopmentalPsychology!
Open-access link + thread 👇
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
September 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Woo new paper! Cross-cultural investigation into maternal responses to infant distress
How babies are soothed may be more important than how quickly, which vary cross-culturally
w/Carlo Vreden & team in #DevelopmentalPsychology!
Open-access link + thread 👇
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
How babies are soothed may be more important than how quickly, which vary cross-culturally
w/Carlo Vreden & team in #DevelopmentalPsychology!
Open-access link + thread 👇
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
Durham Psychology is hiring!
The department is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in forensic psychology, woo! Come join us, we're a friendly and vibrant dept and Durham is beautiful!
Please see info here and reach out with any Qs.
durham.taleo.net/careersectio...
The department is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in forensic psychology, woo! Come join us, we're a friendly and vibrant dept and Durham is beautiful!
Please see info here and reach out with any Qs.
durham.taleo.net/careersectio...
Assistant Professor (Research %26 Education)
Click the link provided to see the complete job description.
durham.taleo.net
August 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Durham Psychology is hiring!
The department is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in forensic psychology, woo! Come join us, we're a friendly and vibrant dept and Durham is beautiful!
Please see info here and reach out with any Qs.
durham.taleo.net/careersectio...
The department is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in forensic psychology, woo! Come join us, we're a friendly and vibrant dept and Durham is beautiful!
Please see info here and reach out with any Qs.
durham.taleo.net/careersectio...
Reposted by Zanna Clay
This is one of the best ideas I've heard in ages.
July 30, 2025 at 6:45 AM
This is one of the best ideas I've heard in ages.
Reposted by Zanna Clay
A study by @zannaclay.bsky.social, Carlo Vreden suggests that babies possess a powerful capacity for empathy long before they can walk or talk.As babies grow and develop, this sensitivity can develop into a deeper understanding of others' emotions and the motivation to care for them.
1/2
@psyche.co
1/2
@psyche.co
July 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A study by @zannaclay.bsky.social, Carlo Vreden suggests that babies possess a powerful capacity for empathy long before they can walk or talk.As babies grow and develop, this sensitivity can develop into a deeper understanding of others' emotions and the motivation to care for them.
1/2
@psyche.co
1/2
@psyche.co
Reposted by Zanna Clay
Changes in facial skin temperature are measured using thermal imaging, which can help scientists better understand underlying emotional states.
Research paper is published in the @psyche.co
Image provided by developmental psychologists @zannaclay.bsky.social and Carlo Vreden.
2/2
Research paper is published in the @psyche.co
Image provided by developmental psychologists @zannaclay.bsky.social and Carlo Vreden.
2/2
July 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Changes in facial skin temperature are measured using thermal imaging, which can help scientists better understand underlying emotional states.
Research paper is published in the @psyche.co
Image provided by developmental psychologists @zannaclay.bsky.social and Carlo Vreden.
2/2
Research paper is published in the @psyche.co
Image provided by developmental psychologists @zannaclay.bsky.social and Carlo Vreden.
2/2
This looks brilliant topic wise-
Though it's a pity that only 2 of the 10 speakers are women. There are so many great women scientists who could have provided excellent contributions for a more balanced programme - @asab.org
Though it's a pity that only 2 of the 10 speakers are women. There are so many great women scientists who could have provided excellent contributions for a more balanced programme - @asab.org
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 24, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This looks brilliant topic wise-
Though it's a pity that only 2 of the 10 speakers are women. There are so many great women scientists who could have provided excellent contributions for a more balanced programme - @asab.org
Though it's a pity that only 2 of the 10 speakers are women. There are so many great women scientists who could have provided excellent contributions for a more balanced programme - @asab.org
What contagious crying and comforting in infants tell us about the roots of emotional connection
We wrote a piece in @psyche.co magazine about our research on #empathy in infants
@durhampsych.bsky.social
psyche.co/ideas/were-l...
We wrote a piece in @psyche.co magazine about our research on #empathy in infants
@durhampsych.bsky.social
psyche.co/ideas/were-l...
We’re learning just how early in life empathy starts to move us | Psyche Ideas
What contagious crying, comforting hugs and other cute behaviour in infants tells us about the roots of emotional connection
psyche.co
July 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
What contagious crying and comforting in infants tell us about the roots of emotional connection
We wrote a piece in @psyche.co magazine about our research on #empathy in infants
@durhampsych.bsky.social
psyche.co/ideas/were-l...
We wrote a piece in @psyche.co magazine about our research on #empathy in infants
@durhampsych.bsky.social
psyche.co/ideas/were-l...
Reposted by Zanna Clay
WeTransfer just changed their TOS giving themselves permission to train AI on any content you transfer and produce derivative works based on content you transfer that they are allowed to monetize and you are not allowed payment for.
Stop using WeTransfer.
Stop using WeTransfer.
July 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
WeTransfer just changed their TOS giving themselves permission to train AI on any content you transfer and produce derivative works based on content you transfer that they are allowed to monetize and you are not allowed payment for.
Stop using WeTransfer.
Stop using WeTransfer.
Social determinants of health: A reanalysis shows that the link between maternal sociality and infant survival in Amboseli baboons is actually driven by state-dependent changes in maternal social behaviour
I missed this when it came out, so sharing in case you did too
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
I missed this when it came out, so sharing in case you did too
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
Reevaluating the relationship between female sociality and infant survival in wild baboons | PNAS
Over the past few decades, studies have provided strong evidence that the robust links
between the social environment, health, and survival found i...
www.pnas.org
June 11, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Social determinants of health: A reanalysis shows that the link between maternal sociality and infant survival in Amboseli baboons is actually driven by state-dependent changes in maternal social behaviour
I missed this when it came out, so sharing in case you did too
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
I missed this when it came out, so sharing in case you did too
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Zanna Clay
Birds as pride flags, meticulously researched by my wonderful student Griffin ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Rainbow flag: Eastern Rosella
📷 David Irving, eBird
Rainbow flag: Eastern Rosella
📷 David Irving, eBird
June 1, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Birds as pride flags, meticulously researched by my wonderful student Griffin ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Rainbow flag: Eastern Rosella
📷 David Irving, eBird
Rainbow flag: Eastern Rosella
📷 David Irving, eBird
Some fancy chocs arrived to thank me for my review for the Branco Weiss Fellowship, very thoughtful
The Swiss do things better 😊
The Swiss do things better 😊
June 2, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Some fancy chocs arrived to thank me for my review for the Branco Weiss Fellowship, very thoughtful
The Swiss do things better 😊
The Swiss do things better 😊
Reposted by Zanna Clay
Remembering the time I threw a geology-paleontology themed Bday party for the kids. Filled a kiddie pool with sand, real fossils & rocks, then had the kids dig & ID their finds for Geo-Paleo Bingo. Ended by exploding a giant Coke & Mentos volcano at the dig site. 😅 #AcademicParents
May 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Remembering the time I threw a geology-paleontology themed Bday party for the kids. Filled a kiddie pool with sand, real fossils & rocks, then had the kids dig & ID their finds for Geo-Paleo Bingo. Ended by exploding a giant Coke & Mentos volcano at the dig site. 😅 #AcademicParents
Last year, Charity, one of my research assistants in Uganda, faced the terrible life challenge of having her leg amputated.
We've been supporting her, but she is now at critical point in her rehabilitation and needs more support. Anything you can give will help
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
We've been supporting her, but she is now at critical point in her rehabilitation and needs more support. Anything you can give will help
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Help raise £600 to support the recovery journey of Charity, an amputee in Uganda – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to support the recovery journey of Charity, an amputee in Uganda. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
www.justgiving.com
May 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Last year, Charity, one of my research assistants in Uganda, faced the terrible life challenge of having her leg amputated.
We've been supporting her, but she is now at critical point in her rehabilitation and needs more support. Anything you can give will help
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
We've been supporting her, but she is now at critical point in her rehabilitation and needs more support. Anything you can give will help
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Reposted by Zanna Clay
🚨 New paper alert 🚨
Collaboration between @yorkpsychology.bsky.social and @durhamdcerc.bsky.social / @durhampsych.bsky.social
A longitudinal, cross cultual, study on infant development of concern & comforting:
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
@zannaclay.bsky.social
Collaboration between @yorkpsychology.bsky.social and @durhamdcerc.bsky.social / @durhampsych.bsky.social
A longitudinal, cross cultual, study on infant development of concern & comforting:
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
@zannaclay.bsky.social
Early empathy development: Concern and comforting in 9- and 18-month-old infants from Uganda and the UK
Empathy, the capacity to share and understand others’ emotional states, is important for navigating our social lives, yet its development in infancy remains poorly understood. Moreover, most research ...
journals.plos.org
May 7, 2025 at 8:18 AM
🚨 New paper alert 🚨
Collaboration between @yorkpsychology.bsky.social and @durhamdcerc.bsky.social / @durhampsych.bsky.social
A longitudinal, cross cultual, study on infant development of concern & comforting:
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
@zannaclay.bsky.social
Collaboration between @yorkpsychology.bsky.social and @durhamdcerc.bsky.social / @durhampsych.bsky.social
A longitudinal, cross cultual, study on infant development of concern & comforting:
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
@zannaclay.bsky.social
New paper alert!👶🚼
The #crosscultural development of infant #empathy
We compared the #development of concern & comforting in 9 and 18m olds from rural Uganda and UK - we found many similarities but also diffs
open-access in @PLOSONE !
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
The #crosscultural development of infant #empathy
We compared the #development of concern & comforting in 9 and 18m olds from rural Uganda and UK - we found many similarities but also diffs
open-access in @PLOSONE !
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Early empathy development: Concern and comforting in 9- and 18-month-old infants from Uganda and the UK
Empathy, the capacity to share and understand others’ emotional states, is important for navigating our social lives, yet its development in infancy remains poorly understood. Moreover, most research ...
journals.plos.org
May 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
New paper alert!👶🚼
The #crosscultural development of infant #empathy
We compared the #development of concern & comforting in 9 and 18m olds from rural Uganda and UK - we found many similarities but also diffs
open-access in @PLOSONE !
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
The #crosscultural development of infant #empathy
We compared the #development of concern & comforting in 9 and 18m olds from rural Uganda and UK - we found many similarities but also diffs
open-access in @PLOSONE !
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Here's an article we did for @theconversation.com about our new study looking at #empathy in chimpanzees and bonobos, and why we need to move beyond stereotypes
theconversation.com/our-ape-cous...
theconversation.com/our-ape-cous...
Our ape cousins show us empathy has deep evolutionary roots – new research
It may be time to move on from species stereotypes.
theconversation.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Here's an article we did for @theconversation.com about our new study looking at #empathy in chimpanzees and bonobos, and why we need to move beyond stereotypes
theconversation.com/our-ape-cous...
theconversation.com/our-ape-cous...
Some coverage from the #BBC about our study comparing the empathic tendencies of chimpanzees and bonobos
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Durham Uni study finds chimpanzees more empathetic than assumed
Durham University finds that chimpanzees are as likely to console as the 'more empathic' bonobo.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Some coverage from the #BBC about our study comparing the empathic tendencies of chimpanzees and bonobos
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New paper alert! - number 2
Social contagion underpins key elements of social interaction, including empathy & social learning.
Here, we review research on primate social contagion and offer a unifying framework
available open-access! 👇👇 w/ Georgia Sandars
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Social contagion underpins key elements of social interaction, including empathy & social learning.
Here, we review research on primate social contagion and offer a unifying framework
available open-access! 👇👇 w/ Georgia Sandars
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Social contagion in primates: Moderating factors and significance for individuals and the group
Social contagion, which involves behavioural and emotional state matching, is a crucial process for healthy social functioning. In humans as well as o…
www.sciencedirect.com
April 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
New paper alert! - number 2
Social contagion underpins key elements of social interaction, including empathy & social learning.
Here, we review research on primate social contagion and offer a unifying framework
available open-access! 👇👇 w/ Georgia Sandars
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Social contagion underpins key elements of social interaction, including empathy & social learning.
Here, we review research on primate social contagion and offer a unifying framework
available open-access! 👇👇 w/ Georgia Sandars
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
New paper alert!
Bonobos are often cited as the 'most empathic ape' yet a comparison to their chimp cousins has never been done. So we directly compared their consolation tendencies
We found big overlaps between the two species plus considerable within-species variation
open-access link below!
Bonobos are often cited as the 'most empathic ape' yet a comparison to their chimp cousins has never been done. So we directly compared their consolation tendencies
We found big overlaps between the two species plus considerable within-species variation
open-access link below!
April 25, 2025 at 11:03 AM
New paper alert!
Bonobos are often cited as the 'most empathic ape' yet a comparison to their chimp cousins has never been done. So we directly compared their consolation tendencies
We found big overlaps between the two species plus considerable within-species variation
open-access link below!
Bonobos are often cited as the 'most empathic ape' yet a comparison to their chimp cousins has never been done. So we directly compared their consolation tendencies
We found big overlaps between the two species plus considerable within-species variation
open-access link below!
Reposted by Zanna Clay
📣We are hiring! Join us as a Career Development Fellow, full-time, fixed-term post from this September. To read more and apply 👉 bit.ly/42XI93k Deadline 22nd May. #academicjobs #psychology #psychologyjobs
Career Development Fellowship
Click the link provided to see the complete job description.
bit.ly
April 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
📣We are hiring! Join us as a Career Development Fellow, full-time, fixed-term post from this September. To read more and apply 👉 bit.ly/42XI93k Deadline 22nd May. #academicjobs #psychology #psychologyjobs
The loss of a legend- Kanzi, the language-competent bonobo, has died age 44.
Kanzi was exceptional in so many ways and offered us profound insights into the linguistic & cognitive capacities of great apes. He has taught us so much and will be hugely missed.
www.apeinitiative.org/remembering-...
Kanzi was exceptional in so many ways and offered us profound insights into the linguistic & cognitive capacities of great apes. He has taught us so much and will be hugely missed.
www.apeinitiative.org/remembering-...
March 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM
The loss of a legend- Kanzi, the language-competent bonobo, has died age 44.
Kanzi was exceptional in so many ways and offered us profound insights into the linguistic & cognitive capacities of great apes. He has taught us so much and will be hugely missed.
www.apeinitiative.org/remembering-...
Kanzi was exceptional in so many ways and offered us profound insights into the linguistic & cognitive capacities of great apes. He has taught us so much and will be hugely missed.
www.apeinitiative.org/remembering-...
Reposted by Zanna Clay
Annual Conference of the Cognition, Behavior and Evolution Network in Antwerp, September 18-19, 2025
With keynotes by @zannaclay.bsky.social, Koen Margodt, and Leda Cosmides.
Submission deadline May 1
www.uantwerpen.be/en/about-uan...
With keynotes by @zannaclay.bsky.social, Koen Margodt, and Leda Cosmides.
Submission deadline May 1
www.uantwerpen.be/en/about-uan...
Annual Conference of the Cognition & Behavior Evolution Network 2025 | Social Sciences | University of Antwerp
www.uantwerpen.be
March 14, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Annual Conference of the Cognition, Behavior and Evolution Network in Antwerp, September 18-19, 2025
With keynotes by @zannaclay.bsky.social, Koen Margodt, and Leda Cosmides.
Submission deadline May 1
www.uantwerpen.be/en/about-uan...
With keynotes by @zannaclay.bsky.social, Koen Margodt, and Leda Cosmides.
Submission deadline May 1
www.uantwerpen.be/en/about-uan...
Reposted by Zanna Clay
It was wonderful to host @zannaclay.bsky.social for our @bristolbiosci.bsky.social seminar this week - fascinating research on the origins of empathy, w/ experimental data from great apes and cross-cultural studies of human infants. Such an interesting topic and provoked lots of discussion after!
March 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
It was wonderful to host @zannaclay.bsky.social for our @bristolbiosci.bsky.social seminar this week - fascinating research on the origins of empathy, w/ experimental data from great apes and cross-cultural studies of human infants. Such an interesting topic and provoked lots of discussion after!