Robin Mehlhausen-Franks Email & Phone Number

PhD student of the London NERC DTP, based at Royal Holloway University London, and supervised by Dr Steven Portugal. Currently looking for further research opportunities and postdoctoral posts.My PhD research is investigating the role of leadership, habitat ground cover, and hunger motivation in determining the flocking dynamics and flight behaviours of domesticated Homing pigeons. Additionally, I am researching how a key behavioural trait varies between domesticated pigeons, feral pigeons sampled across different human population densities, and wild Rock doves on Uist in the Outer Hebrides. My broader interest is in the field of behavioural study and conservation, and I'm equipped with ample experience of conducting fieldwork in both ecological and behavioural fields. I have a particular interest in the behaviour of animal species and how understanding of this can be applied to their conservation.As a matter of course in carrying out a PhD, I have developed extensive project management skills, particularly regarding cost and time management; as well as scientific writing, presentation, and communication non-scientific communities and individuals.Beyond that I have a broad range of pertinent skills; including hands-on conservation site maintenance & repair, animal surveying, handling, and husbandry. My academic research skills include behavioural observation, data analysis, ecological survey skills, experimental design, and the use of softwares including RStudio, QGIS, OMGUI, QTravel, and MSOffice.In my (nonexistent) spare time, I work on creative writing, with the hope of someday making it to publication.Graduated with First-Class honours in Master's Zoology with Animal Behaviour from Bangor University, 2018.My third year dissertation investigated how differing anthropogenic noise levels affect the foraging behaviour of Oystercatcher populations in the Menai Strait, under the supervision of Dr. Graeme Shannon. My final master's thesis involved working with Dr. Rachel Taylor of BTO Wales, with fieldwork based on the RSPB Malltraeth Marsh reserve on Anglesey, testing proposed refinements to ecological habitat survey methods to minimise the disturbance of Eurasian Curlew during the breeding season.

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  Bangor University

  First Class