Education
2017-2021: PhD in Ecology and Evolution
Research School of Biology, The Australian National University
Thesis: Cracking egg investment: Maternal investment in cuckoos and their hosts
Advised by: Professor Naomi Langmore
2012-2016: Bachelor of Science and First-Class Honours Major in Biology and Minor in Genetics
The Australian National University
Thesis: A superb solo or a deviant duet?: Overlapping song in superb fairy-wrens
Advised by: Professor Naomi Langmore and Dr Michelle Hall
Academic Positions
2021- Present: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne
Research focus: Adaptations in parental behaviour to protect young from the warming climate
Advised by: Dr Iliana Medina Guzmán
Relevant Employment
2016-2017: Field Research Assistant for long-term study of superb fairy-wrens
Presentations
2024 Taylor, C. J., Colombo, S., Langmore, N. E. Briscoe, N., & Medina, I. Nest site selection: do superb fairy-wrens adjust nest sites to changing breeding conditions? Oral Presentation. International Society for Behavioural Ecology, Melbourne.
2024 Taylor, C. J., Colombo, S., Langmore, N. E. Briscoe, N., & Medina, I. Nest site selection patterns: what’s important when determining where to build. Oral Presentations. BioSciences Seminar series, Melbourne.
2023 Taylor, C. J., Mainwaring, M. C., & Medina, I. The fecundity costs of building complex nests in birds. Oral Presentation. Behaviour, Bielefield.
2022 Taylor, C. J., & Langmore, N. E. Mothers breeding in groups are better able to buffer their young against extreme temperatures. Oral Presentation. International Society for Behavioural Ecology, Stockholm.
2022 Taylor, C. J., Mainwaring, M. C., & Medina, I. The fecundity costs of building complex nests in birds. Oral Presentation. Australian Evolution Society, Canberra.
2022 Taylor, C. J., Mainwaring, M. C., & Medina, I. The fecundity costs of building complex nests in birds. Oral Presentation. University of Melbourne ECR summit.
2020 Taylor, C. J., & Langmore, N. E. Food availability and maternal investment: A food supplementation experiment. Oral presentation. Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour, via Zoom.
2020 Taylor, C. J., & Langmore, N. E. Feeling the pressure: Conflicting selection pressure on brood parasitic cuckoo egg investment. Oral Presentation. Animal Behaviour Society, via Zoom.
2020 Taylor, C. J., & Langmore, N. E. Feeling the pressure: Conflicting selection pressure on brood parasitic cuckoo egg investment. Poster Presentation. The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, via Zoom.
2018 Taylor, C. J., & Langmore, N. E. The effect of climatic variables and host group size on egg investment in Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoos. Poster Presentation. The Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour Conference, Brisbane.
2016 Taylor, C. J.,& Langmore, N. E. A superb solo or a deviant duet: Duetting in superb fairy-wrens. Oral Presentation. The Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour Conference, Katoomba.
Grants & Awards
2024 Early Career Academic Travel Funding, University of Melbourne (AUD $1,110)
2023 Learning and Teaching Initiatives Grant, University of Melbourne (AUD $30,112)
– co-applicant with Professor Raoul Mulder and Dr Iliana Medina
2023 Big Science Pitch Finalist, University of Melbourne (AUD $10,000)
2022 Early Career Researcher Grant, University of Melbourne (AUD $31,664.60)
2021 Travel Grant to Attend the International Study or Behavioural Ecology Conference (USD $1500)
2018 Canberra Birds Conservation Fund (AUD $4400)
2018 Australian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour Runner up best poster (AUD $50)
2017-2020 The Australian Government Research Training Program scholarship (AUD $28,092 p.a.)
2016 Travel Grant to attend the Australian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour (AUD $500)
Teaching and Training
ZOOL20004 Australian Wildlife Biology- Lecturer: 1hr lecture, 3hrs tutorials, 9hrs excursions and marking
ZOOL20004 Australian Wildlife Biology- Co-coordinator and lecturer: 7hrs lectures, 3hrs tutorials, 12hrs excursions, marking, and assessment development
BIOL20001 Evolution: Making Sense of Life- Lecturer: 2hrs lectures, 2hrs workshops assessment development, and marking
ZOOL30006 Animal Behaviour- Lecturer: 2hrs lectures, 2hrs workshops assessment development, and marking
ZOOL30009 Field Ecology- Group supervisor, field research supervisor for 1-week intensive excursion, and marking
BIOL90040 Graduate Seminar in BioSciences- Lecturer: 1hr lecture, 28hrs discussion classes, and marking
ZOOL20004 Australian Wildlife Biology- Lecturer: 1hr lecture, 2hrs tutorials, 18hrs excursions, and marking
ZOOL20004 Australian Wildlife Biology- Lecturer: 1hr lecture, 9hrs excursions, and marking
BIOL1009 Diversity of Life- Teaching assistant: laboratory demonstration and marking, Australian National University
BIOL1004 Human Biology- Teaching assistant :laboratory demonstration and marking, Australian National University
ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research- Teaching assistant: fieldwork demonstration and marking, Australian National University
LAWS4001 Unravelling Complexity- Guest panel member for a tutorial on explaining complex problems in 3 minutes, Australian National University
ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research- Teaching assistant: fieldwork demonstration and marking, Australian National University
ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research- Teaching assistant: fieldwork demonstration and marking, Australian National University
Training
2020 Principles of Tutoring and Demonstrating Certification
Australian National University 20-hour course
Public Outreach
2024 ‘Nine to Noon’ Radio New Zealand requested expert radio interview:
2024 Pursuit article: Medina, I., Colombo, S., McLachlan, J., & Taylor, C. J.,
Birds are the ultimate architects, designing their nests for every climate
2022 Podcast ABC’s ‘What the Duck?’ requested expert guest speaker
2021, 2019 ‘Canberra Ornithologist Group’ local bird group requested guest speaker
2020 3 Minute Thesis, Australian National University finalist
2019 Youth Leading in STEM mentor
Service Roles
2023 – present BioSciences Early Career Academic Committee Member, University of Melbourne
2023 BioSciences Seminar Series organizing committee, University of Melbourne
2019- 2020 Evolution, Ecology and Genetics Higher Degree Research Representative, Research Training Committee, Australian National University
Journal peer reviewer
Australian Field Ornithology, Animal Behaviour, Avian Research, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal of Avian Biology, Ornithology
Professional memberships
British Ecological Society, International Society of Behavioural Ecology, The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Statistical & Coding Proficiencies
R programming languages
Bayesian and Frequentist inference methods
Generalized Linear Mixed Modelling
Qualifications and Certifications
Victoria Working with Children Check
First Aid certificate (HLTAID009, HLTAID0010 and HLTAID011; Issued 06/07/2022)
Manual Drivers licence
R class bird banding licence with mist netting endorsement
Volunteer Positions
2018 Volunteer assistance to establish a colour banded study population of Jacky Winters
2014 – 2015 The National Zoo and Aquarium- volunteer on the small mammals section
2014 – 2015 RSPCA- Dog walker and kennel cleaner
Claire J. Taylor 