Stephan Leu

Dr Stephan Leu

Lecturer

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Sheep at Fowlers Gap Research StationTiliqua rugosa

I am interested in animal behaviour in an evolutionary ecological framework. In my research I ask fundamental questions about the emergence, maintenance and consequences of social structure in animal populations. I typically track animals with GPS loggers, which provides deep insight into animals' spatial behaviour. My research questions sit at the interface of three exciting and growing research areas, and specifically address the complex interconnection between them:

1) Animal social networks. Which factors drive animal social structure, and collective behaviour, and what are the consequences for health and fitness?
2) Movement ecology. Social structure can emerge as a consequence of animal movement and space use. I investigate how movement decisions at the individual and group level affect the probability of interacting with other conspecifics and how this ultimately leads to the emergence of social structure.
3) Disease ecology. How do spatial and social interactions predict pathogen transmission through populations?

You can find out more details on my research page.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2020 - ongoing Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2020 ARC DECRA Fellow Macquarie University
    2017 - 2017 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Georgetown University
    2016 - 2016 Postdoctoral Endeavour Research Fellow Georgetown University
    2011 - 2016 Earlier Postdoctoral positions Australia

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can peer review
    German Can peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    Flinders University Australia PhD
    University of Göttingen Germany MSc - Biology (Diplom Biologe)

  • Research Interests
    Animal Behaviour Behavioural Ecology Ecology Evolutionary Biology

Fellowships

2017 - 2020 DECRA Fellowship - Australian Research Council

2016             Postdoctoral Endeavour Research Fellowship - Australian Department of Education and Training

I am teaching in the Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) program.

-  Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour III: course coordinator and lecturer

- Foundations in Animal Behaviour II: lecturer

- Principles in Animal Behaviour Welfare Ethics I: lecturer

- Science or Fiction I: lecturer

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 Co-Supervisor Evaluating heat stress in Merino ewes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Bobbie Emilia Lewis Baida

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Costs of parasitism in social and solitary lizards Macquarie University Doctorate Full Time Ko-Huan Lee
    2018 - 2019 Principal Supervisor The role of personality on spatial behaviour in merino sheep (Ovis aries). Macquarie University Master Molly Gilmour

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Member SAVS Research Committee School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Australia
    2020 - ongoing Board Member Executive Committee The Animal Welfare Collaborative Australia
  • Position: Lecturer
  • Phone: 83132823
  • Email: stephan.leu@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Roseworthy
  • Building: J.S Davies, floor G 09
  • Org Unit: School of Animal and Veterinary Science
Connect With Me
External Profiles

Other Links