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HomeAcademic staffDr Rachel Grant
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I'm a Senior Lecturer and Course Director in BioScience. I joined LSBU in 2020 having previously worked in Oxford, Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin and Northampton Universities.

My teaching interests cover all aspects of biology including evolution, disease, nutrition, zoology, ecology, animal behaviour animal welfare, animal rights, and wildlife conservation. I also enjoy teaching statistics and research methods. Current modules include Aetiology of Disease, Foundation Biology, Employability, and Level 6 Project.

My research interests are in behavioural and evolutionary ecology. In particular, I study amphibians, reptiles and birds. Research interests include the effects of geophysical variables on animal ecology, which has applications for conservation and hazard risk forecasting. A further interest the behaviour and welfare of psittacine birds. A more minor interest is human behavioural ecology, in particular the evolutionary mechanisms which led to patriarchy, and deimatic display in humans.

Skills and Expertise

Behavioural Ecology

Ecology and Evolution

Evolution

Conservation Biology

Animal Ecology

Wildlife Ecology

Wildlife Conservation

Zoology

Biodiversity

Conservation

I am active in engaging with the media and have been involved with a number of documentary films including "Tsunami" (channel 5), the discovery channel, and NASA unexplained files, as well as many news and radio interviews about my research.

Courses taught

BSc (Hons) Bioscience 2022/23

Biomedical Science with Foundation year

Psychology with Foundation year

Biomedical Sciences - BSc (Hons)

Postgraduate Research Supervision
Current
Mr Zelin WangMulti-purpose surgical instruments (MSI) inspired by insect mandiblesPhD
PhD

Open University

2003
2010
PG Dip Animal Behaviour

Southampton University

2000
2003
BSc (Hons) Biology

Manchester University

1986
1990
PG cert LTHE

Anglia Ruskin University

2012
2012
FHEA

HEA

2012
2012

The Influence of Geochemical Characteristics and Geological Formations on Mammal Density and Distribution: A Case Study from Gorny Altai, Russia
Shitov, A, Karenin, A and Grant, R. (2023). The Influence of Geochemical Characteristics and Geological Formations on Mammal Density and Distribution: A Case Study from Gorny Altai, Russia. in: Jenkins, O.P. (ed.) Advances in Animal Science and Zoology. Volume 21 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.. pp. Chapter 3

Eyespots: supernatural or supernormal? A case study from Papua New Guinea
Grant, R. and Montrose, V.T. (2023). Eyespots: supernatural or supernormal? A case study from Papua New Guinea . Culture and Evolution.

One health implications of fur farming
Warwick, C., Pilney, A., Steedman, C. and Grant, R. (2023). One health implications of fur farming. Frontiers in Animal Science. 4 (2023), p. 1249901.. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1249901

Elephant tourism: An analysis and recommendations for public health, safety, and animal welfare
Grant, R., Warwick, C., Steedman, C. and Pilney, A. (2023). Elephant tourism: An analysis and recommendations for public health, safety, and animal welfare. International Journal of One Health. 9 (2). https://doi.org/10.14202/IJOH.2023.49-66

Mammal abundance varies with geochemical specialisation in the underlying rock formations.
Grant, R. (2023). Mammal abundance varies with geochemical specialisation in the underlying rock formations. European Geoscience Union 2023. Vienna 23 - 28 Apr 2023 https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-5813,2023.

Defining Short-Term Accommodation for Animals
Warwick, C., Steedman, C., Jessop, M. and Grant, R. (2023). Defining Short-Term Accommodation for Animals. Animals. 13 (4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040732

Mobile Zoos and Other Itinerant Animal Handling Events: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Policies
Warwick, C., Pilny, A., Steedman, C., Howell, T., Martínez-Silvestre, A., Cadenas, V. and Grant, R. (2023). Mobile Zoos and Other Itinerant Animal Handling Events: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Policies. Animals. 13 (2), p. 214. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020214

Miscellaneous Factors. In Health and welfare of captive reptiles
Arena, P.C., Bashaw, M.J., Grant, R., Howell, T., Martinez-Silvestre, A. and Warwick, C. (2023). Miscellaneous Factors. In Health and welfare of captive reptiles . in: Warwick, C. (ed.) Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles Springer. pp. 583-617

Getting It Straight: Accommodating Rectilinear Behavior in Captive Snakes-A Review of Recommendations and Their Evidence Base.
Warwick, C., Grant, R., Steedman, C., Howell, T., Arena, P.C., Lambiris, A.J.L., Nash, A-E., Jessop, M., Pilny, A., Amarello, M., Gorzula, S., Spain, M., Walton, A., Nicholas, E., Mancera, K., Whitehead, M., Martínez-Silvestre, A., Cadenas, V., Whittaker, A. and Wilson, A. (2021). Getting It Straight: Accommodating Rectilinear Behavior in Captive Snakes-A Review of Recommendations and Their Evidence Base. Animals. 11 (5). https://doi.org/ani11051459

Lunar phase as a cue for migrations to two species of explosive breeding amphibians—implications for conservation
Grant, R., Jarvis, L and Sengupta, A (2021). Lunar phase as a cue for migrations to two species of explosive breeding amphibians—implications for conservation. European Journal of Wildlife Research. 67 (11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-020-01453-3