Personal profile

Research overview

Research Overview

Grant is a researcher at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). His current research interests are motivated by the conservation of small cetaceans, with a focus on delphinid species inhabiting coastal waters. Globally, the coastal zone is an area of high anthropogenic activity, which overlaps with the critical habitat of dolphin populations. He is particularly interested in studying spatial ecology, long-term population dynamics, and behavioural responses to disturbance in order to inform conservation management of coastal populations. Grant is dedicated to disseminating his research through STEM activities, events and resources.

Current Projects

East-Coast Bottlenose Dolphin Project

A long-term collaborative study monitoring the population dynamics and distribution of the bottlenose dolphin along the East-coast of Scotland using photo-ID methods. Currently leading boat-based fieldwork in the Firth of Tay, St Andrews Bay and Firth of Forth, and processing of photo-ID data from these areas in addition to data collected by the Lighthouse Field Station in the Moray Firth.

Citizen Fins

This citizen science project aims to further our understanding of the recent range expansion of the East-coast bottlenose dolphin population along the NE coast of England. Currently working to process submissions from the public and promote engagement in the East Yorkshire region.

Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) in the Tanga-Shimoni Seascape of Tanzania and Kenya

Grant is contributing field skills in photo-ID for surveys of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in Northern Tanzania designed to provide baseline data in a poorly studied area for this endangered species.  

Earthquake Effects, Long-term Distribution & Habitat use of Hector’s Dolphin at Kaikoura, NZ.

Grant's MSc Res project involved a collaboration with the Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute (not-for-profit) in New Zealand to quantify the long-term distribution of the endangered Hector’s dolphin off Kaikoura, investigating the potential effects of a coastal earthquake and identifying predictors of habitat use. This area has been identified as having bycatch-rates too high to achieve current conservation goals, and local populations are important for the maintenance of geneflow along the east-coast subpopulation.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water

Education/Academic qualification

Master of Research, The spatial and temporal patterns of distribution in Hector’s dolphins off Kaikōura, South Island New Zealand, over a time period spanning a catastrophic natural event., University of St Andrews

20192021

Award Date: 5 Jun 2022

Bachelor of Science, Conservation Biology & Ecology with Study Abroad, University of Exeter in Cornwall

Sept 2011Jun 2015

Award Date: 5 Jun 2016

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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