iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 16/10/2026

And they’re off! 🪽 Four new pigeon lofts have been opened by The Vice-Chancellor at the John Krebs Field Station, increasing capacity by 200% and supporting a £1m BBSRC project exploring how birds navigate in a changing world.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 15/10/2026

Want to do a PhD in biology? We have 28 projects that span the biosciences for inspiration! See the full list of projects ➡️ bit.ly/dphilbio26 If you have an idea, you can reach out to any potential supervisor that you think you'd like to work with.

Want to study for a PhD in biology? Application is now open to the DPhil in Biology at Oxford. We have 28 projects to get you started.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 21/09/2026

15 years after the last range-wide assessment of jaguar connectivity, landscapes are much changed A new study has found an extensive, highly connected core area, but also identified major connectivity gaps and threatened corridors 👇 doi.org/10.1111/gcb.71093 📷 Emiliano Ramalho

A jaguar rests on a tree branch in a jungle

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 02/09/2026

We have two online talks coming up for Biology Week in October! The Kent meningitis outbreak Register ➡️ bit.ly/4h5dFDy Species coexistence in a changing world Register ➡️ bit.ly/3V5NXq0 Appropriate for ages 11+. Teachers, just register for the event to join with your class.

Join us for two online talks this October. The Kent meningitis outbreak, March 2026: unprecedented or unpredictable? - Wednesday 14 October. Species coexistence in a changing world - Thursday 15 October. Pixel images of bird, mushroom, and bacteria in the background.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 14/08/2026

Have you ever thought of familiar garden plants’ backstories? In a new blog, Professor Stephen Harris, Curator of the Oxford University Herbaria, unearths the hidden history behind purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis) - one that involves the Atlantic slave trade 👇 bit.ly/4c99sMD

A herbarium specimen of purpletop vervain on an old piece of paper

Purpletop vervain growing outside a modern building, the Life and Mind Building in Oxford

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 11/08/2026

Join us on 3 October for a day of discovery, curiosity, and hands-on science! 🌳🧠 We’re hosting a free science fair with @oxexppsy.bsky.social where you can visit stalls, take part in activities, and hear about exciting research 👇 bit.ly/insidelam

Inside Life & Mind - Saturday 3 October 12:00-17:00, Life & Mind Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3EL. Images of a tree, brain, and bird plus logos for the University of Oxford, Department of Biology, and Department of Experimental Psychology

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 24/06/2026

Last week Besiana Sinanaj & @syno2xis.bsky.social hosted an exciting series of talks & art exhibition! The event explore connections between art and plant molecular biology, with four speakers who are both researchers and artists. 📷 Ted Aplin 🎨 Hsuan Pai & Besiana Sinanaj

Besiana Sinanaj, Jodie Armand, Francesco Licausi, Hsuan Pai, and Nick Desnoyer

Four illustrated prints on a white table: botanical and microbiology diagrams

Painting. In a future where nature and technology are closely intertwined, a fox looks out peacefully at the British skyline

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 22/05/2026

Step inside the world of the Oxford Herbaria 🌿 Not one but three exhibitions across Oxford feature our Herbaria, highlighting how our historic collections continue to shape modern science from from food security to climate research. Read more about each of the exhibits ➡️ bit.ly/4uyluq0

Large historical book containing dried plant samples displayed under glass in the Ashmolean museum in a case against a green wall with framed drawings near by.

Four older adults in silhouette viewing a large illuminated botanical display of pressed yellow flowers and leaves.

Botanical illustration of a pine branch with long green needles, multiple pine cones and dissected cone parts. Illustration by Rosemary Wise

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 12/05/2026

"Demand [for sand] continues to surge [...] while sand is also vital for ecosystems - supporting biodiversity, protecting coastlines, and regulating water systems." Sand & Sustainability, new from @unep.org, co-authored by Sophus zu Ermgassen 👇 wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822…

Figure showing impacts of sand extraction on biodiversity. Sand extraction drives widespread and interconnected environmental impacts across terrestrial, riverine, and coastal systems, including
habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, and disruption of sediment dynamics that underpin landscape stability, climate resilience, and human well-being, with cascading implications for livelihoods and land security.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 07/04/2026

Through turbid waters 🐠 Cait Newport studies how fish make decisions – and they are much more intelligent than you might think. Read our new spotlight on Cait! 👇 bit.ly/4cugUCk

Photo of Cait Newport, text reads: Spotlight: Dr Cait Newport - Through turbid waters

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 26/03/2026

The curiosity cube is back! And for some pupils this is their third time visiting, repeat visits - making science feel, possible, and real. Great to be part of it with Merck Curiosity Cube and colleagues across Biology, Chemistry and Engineering. Read more 👉 bit.ly/4lOa7GQ

Seven people in bright green shirts pose on a metal ramp outside a purple Merck trailer.

Group of volunteers wearing bright green shirts smiling at the doorway of a purple mobile outreach unit with a metal ramp.

Six people by a purple Merck trailer, on and beside a wheelchair ramp, wearing bright green shirts.

Five staff in bright green SPARK shirts stand by a metal ramp leading into a purple Merck mobile unit under a blue sky

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 18/03/2026

⏰ Closing soon! A final reminder about our Fellowship Mentorship Programme for early career researchers, application for this year closes in just one week on 25 March ⬇️ bit.ly/BioIRF

Three people smiling and talking outside a modern building. Text reads: Oxford Biology Mentorship Programme. To support strong senior independent research fellowship applications. Apply by 25 March.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 04/03/2026

The application deadline for our Fellowship Mentorship Programme is fast approaching – make sure to get yours in by 25 March. If you’re looking to make the move to an independent fellowship, an academic mentor can provide valuable support and advice ⬇️ bit.ly/BioIRF

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 20/02/2026

Why are “nature positive” approaches critical to resilient economies and financial markets? Find out more on our exciting new executive education course, Green Economy and Nature Positive Finance, led by @joewbull.bsky.social. Open for booking 👇 bit.ly/greeneconomycourse

Green Economy and Nature Positive Finance, a new executive education course from Oxford Biology. 16-20 March in Oxford.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 16/02/2026

To understand how fish use vision to navigate, we must first understand what they see. New review from Cait Newport and @burt15theresa.bsky.social in @jexpbiol.bsky.social 👇 doi.org/10.1242/jeb....

An illustration of how fish navigate in different visibility conditions. In high visibility, fish may rely on beaconing: when the target (eg food) is within visual range, they could swim directly towards it. In low visibility, the target is no longer visible from the starting point. Direct movement based only on memory of its location is risky, so they may use a landmark. Original illustration by Alicia Hayden.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 09/02/2026

Book now to secure your place on our new Exec Ed Course - Green Economy & Nature-Positive Finance. Explore why “nature positive” approaches are critical to resilient economies and financial markets. Book now👉 bit.ly/greeneconomy... 16-20 March, Life and Mind Building

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 09/02/2026

Applications for our Fellowship Mentorship Programme are open! The programme supports promising early career researchers to submit fellowship applications and move towards research independence. Find out more ⬇️ bit.ly/BioIRF

Three people, two women and a man, smile and converse outside a modern building. Text reads: Oxford Biology Mentorship Programme. To support strong senior independent research fellowship applications. Apply by 25 March.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 21/01/2026

We were proud to feature on BBC’s Inside the Factory this week 🎥 In the latest episode, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look inside our bee lab at Wytham Field Station, where science and nature come together. You can catch us from 6:23: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

A screen shot of the programme showing an arial view of Wytham Field Station

A screen shot of Jonathan Pattrick in the show

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

There's been a record shift in the breeding season of Antarctic penguins 🐧 Gentoos are advancing breeding by an average of 13 days per decade, and Adélies and Chinstraps by an average of 10 days, likely in response to climate change. Led by @penguinacho.bsky.social 👇 bit.ly/4svQWnX

Gentoo penguins resting and standing on rocky terrain with snowy mountains and icy waters in the background under a clear blue sky.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

📢Executive Education Course Dive into Green Economy & Nature-Positive Finance - 5 days of expert training on why nature matters in financial markets 🌿 Oxford | 16–20 Mar 2026 bit.ly/greeneconomy...

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 07/01/2026

A lesson in balance 🌱 Eunyoung Chae studies the complex factors that shape plant immunity, a tentative balancing act to defend against threats whilst still allowing growth. Read our new spotlight on Eunyoung! 👇 bit.ly/4jNLF7z

Photo of Eunyoung Chae in autumn in Oxford. Text reads: Spotlight: Dr Eunyoung Chae. A lesson in balance

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 02/12/2025

Congrats to @bertaverd.bsky.social, who's been accepted into the @embo.org Young Investigator Programme! Her research focuses on one of the fundamental and most longstanding questions in biology: how phenotypes evolve to generate the incredible diversity of forms we see 👇 bit.ly/4aj8YDi

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 21/11/2025

The Life & Mind Building: from foundations to a new home for Biology. As we celebrate its official opening, here’s a look back at how far this building has come over the past six years. We can’t wait to see everything it will make possible.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 20/11/2025

The Life & Mind Building officially opened on Tuesday, marked by a visit from Sir Paul Nurse. A major milestone for Biology, this new £200 million home brings cutting-edge labs, teaching spaces, and research communities together under one roof. bit.ly/4pbzoeg 📸C.Mower

The Vice Chancellor, Chancellor and Sir Paul Nurse stand with the opening plaque

Professor Martin Maiden, head of department of Biology gives a speech in front of the Oxford Skyline.

The audience stands and listens to a speech by the Head of department of Experimental Psychology - Prof. Matthew Rushworth

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 20/11/2025

Join us for our annual lecture on 16 December! We will delve into the wonders of animal seismic senses, from spider webs to elephant rumbles, with Dr Beth Mortimer 🐘🕷️ 16 December 17:15, in the Life and Mind Building, Oxford & online 👇 www.biology.ox.ac.uk/event/biolog...

Text reads: Oxford Biology Annual Lecture, 16 December 17:15, Life and Mind Building, Oxford & Online. Image of several elephants walking in a close group

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 13/11/2025

From trade offs to synergies: Aligning climate and biodiversity policies. Reps from Oxford Biology joined experts from government, academia and NGOs at COP30 at this side event. With Greenpeace, SOS Atlantic Forest foundation, WWF and @oxfordgeography.bsky.social. 📸 L.Jardim & A.Vasconcelos

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 20/10/2025

Want to do a PhD in biology? Our projects for 2026 are now live! If you're considering a PhD, or know someone who is, we have projects that span the biosciences to serve as inspiration. Reach out to our academics to discuss these or more options if you have an idea of your own 👇 bit.ly/dphilbio25

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 10/10/2025

📢Closing on Monday: Associate Professor of Molecular Cell Biology But if you thought you had missed out... 🎉Extended till 22nd October: Associate Professor of Animal Behaviour Join us in the new state-of-the-art Life and Mind Building 👇 bit.ly/488CNW3

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 03/10/2025

📢 Closing on Wednesday: Associate Professor in animal behaviour in association with Merton College. Join us in the new Life and Mind Building ⬇️ bit.ly/488CNW3 📷 J.Cairns

A view of the atrium in the life and mind building with people sat working

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 03/10/2025

The path to resilience 🌱 @manqi.bsky.social works across scales to investigate what it takes for our ecosystems to be resilient, and discover how we can protect them in the face of ever-changing environments. Read our new spotlight on Man! 👇 bit.ly/4mHmvat

Text reads: Spotlight: Dr Man Qi. The path to resilience

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 25/09/2025

📢 Closing on Monday: Associate Professor (or Professor) in Plant Sciences. Join us in the new Life and Mind Building 🏢 We have similar positions available in molecular cell biology and animal biology. 👉 bit.ly/488CNW3

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 15/09/2025

Oxford Biology is growing 📢 We’re appointing 3 Associate Professors in: 🌱 Plant Sciences 🦉 Animal Behaviour 🔬 Molecular Cell Biology 3 fields. 3 opportunities. One new home for Oxford Biology. Learn more 👉 bit.ly/41S2Tc7 Apply now 👉 bit.ly/488CNW3

Photo showing the inside atrium of the new Life and Mind Building

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 11/09/2025

Oxford Biology scientists used AI + satellite imagery to count Serengeti wildebeest from space — finding less than half previous estimates of 1.3M. A game-changer for wildlife monitoring. ⬇️ bit.ly/3IiV8Fg

Wildbeest herds in the Serengeti. Credit: Tony Sinclair

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 09/09/2025

🚨 Exciting news! Oxford’s first Open Day in the brand-new Life and Mind Building takes place on 19 September. Come explore cutting-edge spaces and discover your future at Oxford! Plan your open day here: bit.ly/3I4nyTC

Where: Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, OX1 3PS
Map reference: D4
When: 09:00–12:30
09:00–10:45: Meet the tutors & students (plus open lab)
10:45–11:45: Biology at Oxford talk
11:55–12:25: Demonstration interview

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 05/09/2025

Britain remains a vital stronghold for the protected great crested newt—but habitat assessments need updating. Research by @emilyseccombe.bsky.social and @robsalgo.bsky.social introduces refined methods to evaluate pond suitability and safeguard these amphibians. Read more ⬇️ bit.ly/46jLnQt

HSI survey in progress at a potential great crested newt habitat. The image shows a pond with a person standing nearby. Credit Emily Seccombe

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 27/08/2025

We are delighted to congratulate @kayla-king.bsky.social, who has been awarded the Francis Crick Medal and Lecture for contributions to the fields of evolutionary biology and genetics of infectious disease 🦠 More on the award and Kayla's work 👇 bit.ly/3HU9ziW

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 25/07/2025

We had a blast at our research staff showcase on Wednesday! Thanks to our amazing researchers for the effort, to our excellent research staff network committee for organising, and to the rest of the department for coming along in support!

A group of people gather near posterboards chatting, with pizza in the foreground

An out-of-focus person looks at a research poster

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 22/07/2025

Outbreaks and inequities 🦠 @mghafari.bsky.social is tracing viruses back through time — not just to illuminate potential threats, but also to build more equitable and effective responses to epidemics and pandemics. Read our new spotlight on Mahan! 👇 bit.ly/4m8sSDO

Text reads: Spotlight: Dr Mahan Ghafari, Outbreaks and inequities. Image of Mahan speaking at an event.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 08/07/2025

Join us in Oxford in September for @campyuk2025.bsky.social, with a focus on AMR – a conference to discuss the latest advances in Campylobacter biology, epidemiology, food safety, and control. Hosted with @ineosoxford.bsky.social. Full details 👇 campyuk.web.ox.ac.uk

Text reads: CampyUK with a focus on Antimicrobial Resistance, 24-25 September 2025. For researchers, public health professionals, policymakers, and industry experts interested in the major global health issue associated with Campylobacter. Submit an abstract by 31 July.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 23/06/2025

Early this month, the Agricultural Resilience Impact and Innovation Hub hosted its inaugural workshop, which identified 3 focal research areas and 2 cross-cutting themes Find out more in the team's new update 👇 agriih.web.ox.ac.uk/article/agri... @naturebasedsols.bsky.social

Group of people sitting at a workshop looking at presenter

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 11/06/2025

Guided by curiosity, directed by purpose 🌳 Dr Aline Soterroni is remodelling environmental policy, and impact in her home country of Brazil lies at the very heart of her research. Read our new spotlight on Aline! 👇 bit.ly/3SOOlVH @ox.ac.uk @naturebasedsols.bsky.social @oxfordnetzero.bsky.social

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 06/06/2025

🦏 Cutting the horns off rhinos results in a drastic reduction in poaching of these endangered animals. Read about the study, published in @science.org here👇 bit.ly/3FLOBBP 📸T. Kuiper

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 16/05/2025

Species recovery is the future 🌍 Dr Molly Grace is changing the way we think about what’s possible for nature. Today is Endangered Species Day, and Molly's work shows that nature really can bounce back. Read our new spotlight on Molly! 👇 bit.ly/4kpvw7l @ox.ac.uk @iccs.bsky.social

Text reads: Spotlight: Dr Molly Grace. Species recovery is the future.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 14/05/2025

If you love hedgehogs as much as we do don't miss Dr Hedgehog TEDx Talk about using hedgehog poo to measure biodiversity 🦔💩. You can watch it here: bit.ly/4jVuhgk

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 29/04/2025

Have you visited the new @nhm-london.bsky.social gallery yet? 'Fixing Our Broken Planet', which opened on 3 April, includes a short film featuring Oxford Biology researcher Sophus zu Ermgassen discussing biodiversity loss and its solutions 🌳

The Natural History Museum’s new Fixing Our Broken Planet gallery

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 10/04/2025

🦀 Fiddler crabs play love songs in the sand 💛 with a four-step courtship routine, males drum their claw on the ground to attract a mate Those with larger claws make higher energy seismic signals, which prevents dishonesty about claw size 👇 bit.ly/4cmjWXP

Tom measures crab morphology to correlate with seismic signals

A European fiddler crab in the middle of its courtship routine, with another crab in the background

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 31/03/2025

How ancient evolution is vital in the ever-changing 21st century 🧬🌲 @alexmcbowles.bsky.social work centres on the intricate and transformative relationship between plants and water over hundreds of millions of years Read our new profile on Alex! 👇 bit.ly/3QW9Z9z @ox.ac.uk @mplsoxford.bsky.social

Text reads: Spotlight: Dr Alex Bowles. How ancient evolution is vital in the ever-changing 21st century

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 26/03/2025

🐘 African elephants plan their journeys carefully, preferring to avoid steep slopes and rough terrain and favouring food-rich environments 🐘 So if you too prefer a gentle walk with a snack break, you're in good company 👇 bit.ly/3XULCgv @ox.ac.uk

Infographic with illustration of elephant in savanna environment with different terrain and plants. Text reads: The new study used GPS tracking data from 157 African elephants collected over a 22 year period (1998-2020) in Northern Kenya. 94% of the elephants studied avoided steep slopes and rough terrain, suggesting elephants strongly prefer landscapes with lower movement costs. 93% indicated a preference for resource-rich environments, actively selecting areas with higher vegetation productivity. Avoiding energy costly areas: 74% when moving slowly, 87% when moving at intermediate speeds, 93% when moving fast.

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 13/03/2025

Congratulations to our colleagues who took part in the Teddy Hall relays! 4 x 4.35 mile (7km) around central Oxford, three teams joined and one even won a medal for the fastest department team in the womens' category 👏🥇

Group of runners stand on a running track in green t-shirts

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Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 07/03/2025

All the best to the Oxford Biology Students selected for this weekends @OURFCblues varsity match 🏉Chloe-Marie Hawley - DPhil, Year 1 🏉Ben Hartigan - MBiol, Year 1 🏉Sky Stewart-Roberts -MBiol, Year 4 To find out more or to get tickets 👇: www.ourfc.org/varsity

3 head shots of the two women and one man selected for the varsity match, each wearing their Oxford Blue rugby tops

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