Behavioural Ecology: Certification Course

This Course is designed for students, early-career researchers, and anyone interested in animal behaviour, this workshop provides both theoretical foundations and practical insights into the science of behavioural ecology. Join us to deepen your understanding of the fascinating connections between behaviour, ecology, and evolution — and to develop the skills to think like a behavioural ecologist. Class 1: Foundations of Behavioural Ecology Focus: Core principles, theory, and behavioural diversity Introduction to behavioural ecology: scope, history, and relevance Key concepts: natural selection, adaptation, fitness, Tinbergen’s Four Questions Animal communication and signalling Foraging and predation strategies Mating systems and sexual selection Social behaviour, cooperation, and dominance Class 2: Behavioural Ecology in Research & Conservation Focus: Methods, application, and ethics Behavioural ecology and conservation applications Observational methods: focal, scan, and sequence sampling (Altmann 1974) Designing ethograms and collecting field data Video-based observation activity — creating an ethogram Ethics in behavioural research and human–wildlife contexts Tools and software's Class 3: Career & Research Development Focus: Building skills, publishing, and professional growth Interpreting data — time budgets, activity patterns Statistical and analytical tools Case study: urban bonnet macaques and coexistence design Designing your own behavioural study; Behaviour in a changing world: urbanization, adaptation, and resilience Career paths: academia, conservation, applied research Publishing in behavioural ecology: structure, tips, and ethics Networking and collaboration: conferences, societies, and labs Group discussion and reflection