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 and long-term population dynamics to inform the 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 of the East Coast of Scotland bottlenose dolphin population using photo-ID methods. Having led fieldwork in the Tayside area between 2021 and 2023, Grant now overseas the project, working closely with collaborators at Aberdeen University. 

PhD project: Investigating the range expansion of East Coast bottlenose dolphins into Northeast England.

Currently a part time PhD student, Grant is investiagting a continued southern range expansion of the East Coast bottlenose dolphin population, and the consequences for monitoring the total population. Having implimented a new photo ID study site in northeast England in 2024, the next steps are to deploy PAM devices in the region.

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. At present this project runs as part of Grants PhD. 

Previous projects

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

Suupported 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 in an area of high bycatch.