Macaque Project

Research objectives

Cognition and Social Behaviour

Our primary area of interest is the evolution and function of communicative signals and cognitive skills in primates. Thanks to our links with the Monkey Haven and other European zoological institutions, we have a unique opportunity to study a number of macaque species, including highly understudied species.

Animal welfare

Alongside our work on macaques’ behaviour, cognition and communication, we are strongly interested in applying the principles that explain variation in individuals’ socio-cognitive abilities into welfare consequences.

Conservation and Education

Macaque species around the world face significant threats from habitat loss, climate change and growing human population. We are committed to help protect the local macaque populations and their habitats, and we are involved in educational programmes that aim to foster sustainable coexistence among macaques and people.

Public engagement with science

We want to foster understanding and interest about the research we do, and are equally interested in how people perceive our work. Thus, all the research conducted at the Monkey Haven and the Trentham Monkey Forest is on direct public view.

Field Sites

Our work is conducted at different sites, including the long term field site projects:

Macaca nigra Project

Macaca maura Project

Interested in working with us?

We are keen to hear from highly motivated potential MRes, PhD or postdoctoral candidates interested in working with us. We also consider students interested in gaining experience in research. If interested, please contact one of the staff members (see below) for further details.