Science communication & popular press

Science beyond journals.

I communicate animal behavior, cognition, and carnivore ecology through books, broadcasting, public talks, documentaries, expert commentary, and long-form profiles. Public-facing work is part of how I connect the questions that motivate research with the wider fascination people have with animal societies.

In the news

Hot off the press.

Recent features and conversations about animal behavior and the science behind it.

Writing & profiles

Long-form science for broad audiences.

Books & public-facing writing

  • 2025“The Most Charismatic of Cats” — chapter in The Last Lions, Smithsonian Books.
  • 2024Animal Minds: What Are They Thinking? — research featured / featured scientist, Orca children's book.
  • 2021Aesop's Animals: The Science Behind the Fables — scientific consultant, Bloomsbury Sigma.
  • 2018The Lion's Tale — scientific consultant, DK / Penguin Random House children's book.

Research featured & expert commentary

  • 2025MDR — expert interview on tiger-cub mortality at Leipzig Zoo.
  • 2025SÜDKURIER — expert interview on Zurich Zoo's tiger and lion husbandry concept.
  • 2022Smithsonian Magazine — research coverage on oxytocin and lion social behavior.
  • 2022The Atlantic — expert interview on honey badger behavior.
  • 2022Slate — expert interview on lion behavior and the film Beast.
  • 2018National Geographic Online News — scientific consultant, “Do Big Cats Get Hairballs?”
  • 2016Scientific American — research coverage, “Lions are the brainiest of the Big Cats.”
  • 2016Science — research coverage, “Good social skills make animals smarter.”

Broadcast & presenting

On screen and behind the science.

Presenting

  • 2021Animal IQ — presenter and co-host, eight-episode web series, PBS Nature / PBS TerraNova.
  • 2019Wicked Weasels — TV presenter and scientific consultant, BBC / PBS.
  • 2018Big Cats — TV presenter and scientific consultant, BBC / PBS.
  • 2016Wild Dogs — presenter and scientific consultant, Offspring Films for Sky 1.
  • 2015Killer IQ: Predator Challenge and Killer IQ: Predator Games — TV presenter and scientific consultant, Smithsonian Channel.

Scientific consulting & educational media

  • 2021Wildscreen Network Festival — panelist, “Understanding Science Communication when Filming/Photographing Wildlife.”
  • 2021Reddit AskScience AMA — Animal IQ question-and-answer session.
  • 2020Earth at Night — scientific consultant for African lion episode, Apple TV+ / Offspring Films.
  • 2019Franklin Park Zoo, Boston — scientific consultant, “Zoo Brains” poster exhibit.
  • 2019The Zoo, Animal Planet — student research featured.
  • 2021BBC, Chris Packham's Animal Einsteins, Episode 4 “Social Networkers” — research featured.