Qualifications
- BSc
- MSc (University of Edinburgh)
- PhD / DPhil (University of Edinburgh)
Summary
Previous posts:
Postdoc, University of Neuchatel, CH
Postdoc, German Primate Center, DE
JSPS Visiting Researcher, Kyoto University, JP
Journal Article
Humans and great apes visually track event roles in similar ways
Wilson, V. A. D., Sauppe, S., Brocard, S., Ringen, E., Daum, M. M., Wermelinger, S., Gu, N., Andrews, C., Isasi-Isasmendi, A., Bickel, B., & Zuberbü Hler, K. (2024). Humans and great apes visually track event roles in similar ways. PLoS Biology, 22(11), Article e3002857. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002857
A universal preference for animate agents in hominids
Brocard, S., Wilson, V. A., Berton, C., Zuberbühler, K., & Bickel, B. (2024). A universal preference for animate agents in hominids. iScience, 27(6), Article 109996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109996
Does the primate face cue personality?
Wilson, V. A., & Masilkova, M. (2023). Does the primate face cue personality?. Personality Neuroscience, 6, Article e7. https://doi.org/10.1017/pen.2023.5
The use of gaze to study cognition: limitations, solutions, and applications to animal welfare
Wilson, V. A., Bethell, E. J., & Nawroth, C. (2023). The use of gaze to study cognition: limitations, solutions, and applications to animal welfare. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1147278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1147278
Research interests
I study comparative cognition, and am particularly interested in how individuals perceive social stimuli, as well as in understanding individual differences in social cognition. This research has led me to explore diverging branches of research, incorporating both the study of personality, and consideration of methodologies used to assess responses to social stimuli. I have also worked on projects examining facial behaviour cues, and the relationship between wellbeing and measures of personality and welfare.
I am additionally interested in how our understanding of cognition can improve perceptions of other species and have a long term positive impact on the treatment and welfare of captive animals. I am happy to collaborate on or supervise topics along these themes.
Postgraduate supervision
Comparative social cognition/behaviour
Attention, perception
Emotion production/perception
Communication
Animal wellbeing and welfare
Human-animal interactions