Personal profile
Research overview
I am currently the Co-Director of the Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences (https://ibans.st-andrews.ac.uk).
I am interested in using multi-disciplinary approaches to gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms that underlie complex patterns of animal behaviour. Currently this involves integrating behavioural, physiological, endocrine and neuroendocrine approaches using avian species in both the field and laboratory. I currently head up the Mechanisms of Behaviour Research Group - check out our website for more info:
Research interests
Co-Director of the Institute for Behavioural and Neural Sciences (IBANS)
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):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Maternal developmental history alters transfer of circadian clock genes to offspring in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Harvey-Carroll, J.-L., Stevenson, T. J. & Spencer, K. A., May 2024, In: Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology. 210, p. 399–413 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Pre-natal exposure to glucocorticoids causes changes in developmental circadian clock gene expression and post-natal behaviour in the Japanese quail
Harvey-Carroll, J., Stevenson, T. J., Bussière, L. F. & Spencer, K. A., Jul 2024, In: Hormones and Behavior. 163, 14 p., 105562.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Light-induced asymmetries in embryonic retinal gene expression are mediated by the vascular system and extracellular matrix
Versace, E., Sgadò, P., George, J., Loveland, J. L., Ward, J., Thorpe, P., Jensen, L. J., Spencer, K. A., Paracchini, S. & Vallortigara, G., 15 Jul 2022, In: Scientific Reports. 12, 12 p., 12086.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Acute social isolation alters neurogenomic state in songbird forebrain
George, J., Bell, Z., Condliffe, D., Doher, K., Abaurrea, T., Spencer, K., Leitao, A., Gahr, M., Hurd, P. & Clayton, D. F., 22 Sept 2020, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 117, 38, p. 23311-23316Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Early-life adversity programs long-term cytokine and microglia expression within the HPA axis in female Japanese quail
Walker, D. J., Zimmer, C., Larriva Hormigos, M., Healy, S. D. & Spencer, K. A., 21 Mar 2019, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 222, 6, 11 p., jeb187039.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Datasets
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Pre-natal exposure to glucocorticoids causes changes in developmental circadian gene expression (dataset)
Harvey-Carroll, J.-L. (Creator), Spencer, K. A. (Supervisor), Larriva Hormigos, M. (Contributor) & Stevenson, T. (Supervisor), University of St Andrews, 2020
DOI: 10.17630/d1664b42-f24d-4d03-b9f5-74997bcfc10b
Dataset
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The effects of developmental stress on circadian rhythm development and the expression of diurnal behaviours (Thesis data)
Harvey-Carroll, J.-L. (Creator), Spencer, K. A. (Supervisor) & Stevenson, T. (Supervisor), University of St Andrews, 22 Aug 2024
DOI: 10.17630/fecf79b5-d0ec-41d0-bf79-b61945902887, https://doi.org/10.17630/sta/317
Dataset: Thesis dataset
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Ageing biomarkers in the brain: exploring stress effects in traditional and non-traditional model systems (Chapter3) (thesis data)
Morisaki, M. (Creator), Spencer, K. A. (Supervisor) & Doherty, G. H. (Supervisor), University of St Andrews, 21 Apr 2021
DOI: 10.17630/b814234a-ae03-4f16-a3e6-0243850401bf
Dataset: Thesis dataset
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Ageing biomarkers in the brain: exploring stress effects in traditional and non-traditional model systems (Chapter2) (thesis data)
Morisaki, M. (Creator), Spencer, K. A. (Supervisor) & Doherty, G. H. (Supervisor), University of St Andrews, 21 Apr 2021
DOI: 10.17630/bef9bf12-69bb-4bc5-b313-b14a0fbab215
Dataset: Thesis dataset
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Stress programming throughout life history: implications for physiological ageing (thesis data)
Walker, D. J. (Creator), Spencer, K. A. (Supervisor) & Healy, S. D. (Supervisor), University of St Andrews, 11 Apr 2025
DOI: 10.17630/f1952031-5f26-45ff-93a0-a91756ebfd2d, http://hdl.handle.net/10023/17895
Dataset: Thesis dataset
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Projects
- 14 Finished
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Impact on Seabird Development: Assessing the impact of environmental chemicals on seabird development and health
Spencer, K. (PI)
1/07/22 → 31/08/22
Project: Standard
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Seabird Development: Assessing the impact of environmental chemicals on seabird development and health
Spencer, K. (PI)
1/05/22 → 30/06/22
Project: Standard
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Activities
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Royal Society of Edinburgh Start-up Science Masterclass
Harris, C. M. (Participant) & Spencer, K. A. (Participant)
18 May 2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in or organising a public festival/exhibition/event
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Biology Letters (Journal)
Spencer, K. A. (Member of editorial board)
1 Apr 2011Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editor of research journal
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Today program (BBC Radio 4)
Spencer, K. A. (Contributor)
Jan 2011Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Organiser, Developmental stress and birdsong: current evidence and future directions symposium, International Ornithological Congress, Brazil
Spencer, K. A. (Organiser)
2010Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in or organising a conference
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Behavioural Development Symposium, International Ethology Congress, Rennes, France
Spencer, K. A. (Invited speaker)
2008Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Prizes
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BA Charles Darwin Award Lecture
Spencer, K. A. (Recipient), 2007
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)