Personal profile
Research overview
I am interested in the evolution of complexity in communication systems and how this complexity can affect social interaction. This work takes two different approaches. On the one hand I investigate environmental constraints that influence the design of vocal communication systems, and on the other I study the underlying cognitive skills required to overcome or circumvent such constraints. Much of this work concentrates on vocal communication in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). This species combines the ability of vocal learning with complex cognitive skills that exceed those of most other animals. Furthermore, dolphins rely almost exclusively on acoustic communication which avoids the difficulties connected with studying multi-modal communication systems.
Academic/Professional Qualification
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 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Signature whistle shape conveys identity information to bottlenose dolphins
Janik, V. M., Sayigh, L. & Wells, R., 23 May 2006, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103, 21, p. 8293-8297 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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The animal cultures debate
Laland, K. N. & Janik, V. M., Oct 2006, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 21, 10, p. 542-547 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Facts about signature whistles of bottlenose dolpins, Tursiops truncatus
Sayigh, L., Esch, H., Wells, R. & Janik, V. M., Dec 2007, In: Animal Behaviour. 74, 6, p. 1631-1642 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Whale song
Janik, V. M., 10 Feb 2009, In: Current Biology. 19, 3, p. R109-R111Research output: Contribution to journal › Short survey › peer-review
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Repeated elicitation of the acoustic startle reflex leads to sensitisation in subsequent avoidance behaviour and induces fear conditioning
Gotz, T. & Janik, V., 2011, In: BioMed Central Neuroscience. 12, 12 p., 30.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Datasets
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The role of vocal learning in call acquisition of wild grey seal pups (dataset)
Stansbury, A. (Creator) & Janik, V. (Creator), University of St Andrews, 7 Sept 2021
DOI: 10.17630/080c0f26-0a9e-4483-ab12-ab8985191371
Dataset
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ARTwarp - automated categorisation of tonal animal sounds (All versions)
Janik, V. (Creator), Konovalov, O. (Creator), Kerlaff, K. (Creator), Gillespie, D. (Creator), Chan, T. (Creator), Babu, A. (Creator), Kumar, R. (Creator), Leitner, F. (Creator), Archie, C. (Creator), Tham, H. (Creator), Day, C. R. (Creator), Jenks, T. G. (Creator), McCloskey, E. (Creator), Fellner, W. (Creator), Hargrave, C. (Creator), Oswald, J. N. (Creator) & Deecke, V. (Creator), Zenodo, 14 Apr 2026
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7713614, http://10.5281/zenodo.7713615 and 2 more links, http://10.5281/zenodo.17476144, http://10.5281/zenodo.19570405 (show fewer)
Dataset
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Formant Modification through Vocal Production Learning in Grey Seals (dataset)
Stansbury, A. (Data Collector) & Janik, V. (Creator), University of St Andrews, 20 Jun 2019
DOI: 10.17630/094ba033-6088-4deb-83d8-4d05cfdfb6a5
Dataset
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Behavioral response of delphinids to sonar - supporting acoustic data
Casey, C. (Creator), Fregosi, S. (Creator), Southall, B. (Creator), Oswald, J. (Creator), Janik, V. (Creator) & Visser, F. (Creator), Dryad, 6 Mar 2024
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.d2547d88r, https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.d2547d88r
Dataset
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Species information in whistle frequency modulation patterns of common dolphins (dataset)
Oswald, J. N. (Creator), Walmsley, S. (Creator), Casey, C. (Creator), Fregosi, S. (Creator), Southall, B. (Creator) & Janik, V. (Creator), University of St Andrews, 7 Sept 2021
DOI: 10.17630/9305bcd2-b422-4496-8104-b9f856538c97
Dataset
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Projects
- 16 Finished
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Acoustic Deterrents: Efficacy of Acoustic Deterrents to Mitigate Seal Depredation on Fishing Catch
Janik, V. (PI)
ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd
22/03/22 → 31/07/22
Project: Standard
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Acoustic startle responses: Acoustic Startle Responses as Aversive Reactions and Hearing Indicators in Cetaceans
Janik, V. (PI)
15/08/16 → 14/08/19
Project: Standard
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ASRD: H2020 MSCA Fellowship 2015 (Julie)
Janik, V. (PI)
Joint Research Centre European Commission
1/07/16 → 30/06/18
Project: Fellowship
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CURAS: H2020 Marie Curie Fellowship 2014 CURAS
Janik, V. (PI)
Joint Research Centre European Commission
25/08/15 → 24/08/17
Project: Fellowship
Activities
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Institute for Advanced Studies (Wissenschaftskolleg) Berlin (External organisation)
Janik, V. (Participant)
2009 → 2010Activity: Membership types › Membership of research network
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Ethology (Journal)
Janik, V. (Editor)
1 Jan 2011 → 1 Jan 2014Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editor of research journal
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How did the marine environment shape unique features in dolphin communication?
Janik, V. (Speaker)
25 Sept 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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The Effects of Noise on Marine Mammals
Janik, V. (Speaker)
21 Jan 2019 → 22 Jan 2019Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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The Effects of Noise on Marine Mammals in Antarctica
Janik, V. (Participant)
12 Nov 2018 → 14 Nov 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in or organising a workshop, seminar, course
Prizes
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Fellow of the Collegium Budapest, Centre for Advanced Study, Hungary
Janik, V. (Recipient), 2003
Prize: Election to learned society
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McCurdy Scholarship, Duke University Marine Laboratory
Janik, V. (Recipient), 9 May 2015
Prize: Appointment