Background: Dr Newton-Fisher received a PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of Cambridge for his research into the behavour and ecology of wild chimpanzees in Uganda. This followed a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Bristol. Prior to coming to Kent he was assistant director of the Budongo Forest Project in Uganda.
Research: What does it mean to be human? Why are we like we are? These and similar questions have been asked repeatedly thought human history and are of interest to everyone, not only specialists. The scientific theory of evolution by natural selection provides the key to answering these questions. Dr Newton-Fisher studies the behaviour and ecology — the way of life — of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). These apes are the closest living species to ourselves, and understanding chimpanzees provides insights into our own behaviour and clues to the way evolutionary forces shaped our own species.
Current Research Projects
Male-female aggression and sexual coercion in chimpanzees
Hunting behaviour of chimpanzees
Ongoing and Past Research Projects
Social behaviour, feeding ecology, ranging patterns (chimpanzees)
Vocal communication (red foxes)
Research Interests: Dr Newton-Fisher's interests include the evolution of social systems, especially the nature of fission-fusion social organisation, complex social behaviour and the evolution of primate cognition, Inter-individual relationships: grooming patterns, alliances, social status, habitat use: Ranging, territoriality, inter-group interactions, foraging: Interactions between food patch size, patch distribution and social structure, carnivory (the extent of and reasons for hunting in chimpanzees), methods of data analysis; application of statistical models (analytical & simulation) to understanding behaviour and social structure.
Teaching Interests: Evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, great ape social behaviour. Dr Newton-Fisher convenes two undergraduate modules: SE580: Primate behaviour and ecology, SE582: Biological anthropology - comparative perspectives .
Recent Publications
Brosnan, S. F., Newton-Fisher, N. E., & Van Vugt, M. (2009). A melding of minds: When primatology meets personality and social psychology. Personality and Social Psychology Review. OnlineFirst: doi:10.1177/1088868309335127
Newton-Fisher, N. E. (2007). Chimpanzee hunting behaviour. In: Handbook of Palaeoanthropology (Eds. Henke, W. & Tattersall, I.). Springer, pp. 1295-1320.
Newton-Fisher, N. E. (2006). Wild female chimpanzees form coalitions against male aggression. International Journal of Primatology. 27: 1601-1617
Emery Thompson, M., Newton-Fisher, N.E., and Reynolds, V. (2006). Probable community transfer of parous adult female chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest, Uganda. International Journal of Primatology. 27: 1589-1599
Newton-Fisher, N. E., Notman, H., Paterson J.D. & Reynolds, V. (2006) Primates of Western Uganda. Springer, 516p.
Okecha, A. A. and Newton-Fisher, N. E. (2006). The diet of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. In: Primates of Western Uganda (Eds: Newton-Fisher, N.E., Notman, H., Reynolds, V., Paterson J.D.). Springer, pp. 61-74.
Slocombe, K. E. and Newton-Fisher, N. E. (2005). Fruit sharing between wild adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): a socially significant event? American Journal of Primatology. 65(4), 385-391.
Newton-Fisher, N. E. (2004). Hierarchy and social status in Budongo chimpanzees. Primates. 45:81-87.
Newton-Fisher, N. E. (2003). The home range of the Sonso community of chimpanzees from the Budongo Forest, Uganda. African Journal of Ecology 41:151-156.
167-169.
Dr Newton-Fisher has provided his expertise in primatology and chimpanzee behaviour as a consultant for Channel 5/National Geographic, BBC Science Television, Lever Fabergé, Granada Media Television, BBC Science Online, Survival Anglia Television, and the Discovery Channel Online.
Lecturer in Biological Anthropology
