Professor Paula Stockley

Professor of Evolutionary Ecology

Paula Stockley

Research interests

My research aims to explain diversity in animal reproductive and behavioural traits, with emphasis on mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of reproductive competition, particularly in mammals.

I also have broad interests in the fields of behavioural and evolutionary ecology relating to reproductive strategies and social behaviour.

Current projects include experimental and comparative studies of social competition and sexual selection. Multidisciplinary collaborations apply molecular and proteomics techniques to address evolutionary questions within these areas. I also collaborate with project partners on applied conservation problems.

Education and career

  • BSc (Hons) Class I Zoology, University of Nottingham (1989)
  • DPhil, University of Oxford (1989-1992)
  • Research Assistant, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford (1993)
  • NERC Postdoctoral Associate, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool (1993-1998)
  • Lecturer, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool (1998-2004)
  • Sir Alastair Pilkington & Recognition Awards for Teaching (2002)
  • Visiting Scholarship, St Johns College, University of Oxford (2002)
  • Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool (2004 -2008)
  • Visiting Research Fellowship, University of Durham (2007)
  • Reader, University of Liverpool (2008- 2014)
  • Professor, University of Liverpool (2014 - )

Professional roles

  • NERC Panel C Chair (2021-)
  • NERC DTP2 Panel (2018)
  • Secretary for the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (2017-2023)
  • Editorial Board Member, Behavioural Ecology (2016-2019)
  • Guest Editor, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B (2013)
  • Grants Committee Secretary for the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB 2013-2015)
  • NERC Peer Review College, Academic Member (2012-)
  • ASAB Grants Committee Member (2011-2012)
  • ASAB Council Member (2011-2012)
  • Associate Editor, Evolution (2009 - 2012)
  • Editor, Animal Behaviour (2007-2010)
  • Consulting Editor, Animal Behaviour (2004-2006)

At the University of Liverpool:

  • IVES Fellowship Group (2023-)
  • REF Uo6 Planning Group (2019-2020)
  • NERC Peer Review College (Internal UoL)
  • Module co-ordinator, Veterinary Conservation Medicine VECM301, VECM303 (2017-)
  • IIB Postgraduate Committee (2017-2019)
  • IIB Teaching Advisory Group (2016-2019)
  • ACCE NERC DTP placement coordinator (2016-2019)
  • IIB Institute Steering Group 2015-2019)
  • Module co-ordinator VETS 670
  • Module co-ordinator VETS/BIOV124 (-2011)
  • Pathway Director Veterinary Conservation Medicine MSc (2010-2014)
  • Programme Director Veterinary Conservation Medicine BSc (2008-2010)
  • Board of Studies BSc Veterinary Conservation Medicine (2001-2010; Chair, 2008-2010)
  • Postgraduate Committee (2009-2015)
  • Admissions Committee (2008-2015)
  • Learning and Teaching Committee (2008-2015)
  • Board of Studies BVSc Veterinary Science (2001-2011)
  • Board of Studies BSc Bioveterinary Science (2001-2011)
  • Progress Committee (1999-2003)

Postgraduate students

  • Rachel Blount (2021-2023) The impact of beaver habitat modification on bats
  • Melanie Baker (2021-2025) Quantifying ecological impacts and long-term sustainability of The Cheshire Beaver Project
  • Susie Phillips (2021-2025) Using population genetics and scent deposits to inform recovery strategies for water voles
  • Sam Morris (2021-2025) Female competition and maternal effects in a social mammal
  • Clare Jones (2020-2024) Reducing harm to wildlife from rodent pest control strategies
  • Alice Clark (2019-2023) Reproductive suppression in female mammals
  • Melanie Baker (2019-2020) Habitat mapping of the hazel dormouse as a tool for improving reintroduction site selection
  • Emma Cartledge (2018-2023) Conservation ecology of a reintroduced dormouse population
  • Katherine Finch (2017-2018) Effects of kinship on reproductive suppression in wild house mice
  • Callum Duffield (2017-2022) Effects of intergroup competition on cooperation and reproductive success
  • Giacomo d’Ammando (2016-2020) Sexual selection and signalling in ungulates
  • Dale Page (2016-2017) Effects of maternal environment and early life experience on social behaviour
  • Holly Coombes (2016-2020) Genetic signals underlying individual and kin recognition in mammals
  • Rhiannon Bolton (2015-2020) Proximate mediators of competitive behaviour in cooperatively breeding mammals
  • Rutendo Wazara (2015-2019) Social welfare of captive Asian elephants
  • Neus Tantinya Pujol (2015-2016) Effects of early rearing environment on competitive behaviour in house mice
  • Liane Hobson (2012-2016) Dispersal and social competition in mammals
  • Rebecca Hardman (2011 – 2012) Chemical communication in intrasexual competition
  • Helen Bayram (2010 - 2014) A proteomic study of sperm competition in mammals
  • Kelly Gouveia (2010 - 2014) Taming anxiety and variation in laboratory mice
  • Lisa Graham (2008 - 2012) Co-operation and conflict in communal offspring care
  • Michael Garratt (2006 - 2010) Oxidative stress and sexual selection in mammals
  • Jean Francois Lemaitre (2006 - 2009) Sperm competition in bank voles
  • Steve Ramm (2002 - 2006) Sperm competition and its evolutionary consequences in rodents
  • Dan Bray (2000 - 2004) Host-parasite interactions in the common shrew

Back to: Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution