My contributions to science and the impact this has had on society
I investigate unconventional animals and unique model systems. My post doctoral work was with a monkey living in eceptionally large social groups and my current project is perhaps the only one in the world that can assess the consequences of dedicated paternal care, as fewer than 5% of mammalian fathers exhibit this behaviour. In this way, I have often pushed the boundaries of our understanding of the mammalian mind. My research team was the first to demonstrate tactical deception in a wild primate, while more recently I discovered rare evidence of innovative parenting in carnivores. My studies have attracted attention outside the scientific world, featuring in newspapers, international weblogs and podcasts. My "clever" bat-eared foxes will also appear on a BBC series later this year. I consider it important to reach beyond academia, and thereby help change the public face of science.
I am a member of the South African Academy of Science.