MY PROJECTS
My interests (both academic and educational) are varied: from using quantitative 3D modeling to understand hybridization in the human past, to evaluating aspects of science communication and education.
EVOLUTION EDUCATION PROJECT
This research evaluates public responses to different ways of teaching human evolution. For instance, the extent to which small additions/adjustments to the way in which evolution is taught may affect the way in which recipients (learners and the public) understand and/or "trust" evolutionary concepts, particularly that of human evolution.
HYBRIDIZATION RESEARCH
Stemming from my doctoral research in the Ackermann Lab (University of Cape Town), I am interested in understanding the morphological features of mammalian hybrids. Quantifying and evaluating these features may allow us to predict and detect hybridization in the past using morphology. We have indicated how this might be used to detect hybridization in hominins, but these techniques may be extrapolated to multiple mammalian fauna in archaeological and palaeoanthropological contexts.
AYE KNOW AYE'M PRETTY
In collaboration with Dr Marc Kissel (Appalachian State University), I am interested in testing out novel ways of engaging with the public through citizen science. For instance, is it possible to both understand facial features in primates which are more strongly seen as "cute" while using these tests to spread knowledge of these primates?
