Overview
I am researching a PhD in the School of Geography and Planning: Hawks, humans and robotic birds: meetings of minds bodies and machines.
I am using ethnographic fieldwork with falconers throughout the UK to explore the relationships created by piloting an artificial prey bird (roprey) for trained birds of prey. As a practising falconer myself, I am particularly interetested in the eperience of the birds themselves and will be experimenting with different ways of recording and interpreting their experience. I hope that this research will highlight the creative potential of technology to foster inter-species collaboration.
Research
My research interests are human-animal interactions, and especially the use and impact of technology on these relationships.
I am a mature student and have worked with a variety of species, both professionally and personally for over forty years. I am a falconer, horse-rider and farmer and my PhD research is my attempt to answer some of the questions that this experience has generated, especially during my work with non-social predators such as raptors.
Humans and raptors exists in vastly different sensorial worlds and yet are able to do more than co-exist; they can work together in partnership. How do we communicate? How has technology contributed to these relationships-and how can it do more? My PhD research is focussed on the relationships created by piloting of an artificial prey bird for trained falcons, but my broader interests lie in understanding embodied inter-species knowledge(s) and in integrating practical, lived experiece into the growing academic field of human-animal-technology studies.
Thesis
Hawks, humans and robotic birds: meetings of minds, bodies and machines.
Hawks, humans and robotic birds:meetings of minds, bodies and machines.
My research project explores the inception, development and subsequent uses of ‘roprey’, a radio-controlled model bird designed specifically to be caught in the air by trained falcons. My central focus is on the impact of this technology on relationships between humans and hawks, and how these are shaping new practices and creating new intra, and inter-species communities.
Ethnographic fieldwork will make up the main body of research exploring the relationships and practices evolving between falconer/ pilots and their falcons but I will also use my experience as a practicing falconer to experiment with novel methods to include the experience of the falcon participants. These will include biography (drawing on training records and life histories), photography and, where possible with a fast moving bird, video footage.
I hope that this research will suggest the creative potential of technology to help bridge sensorial divides between humans and other species, and also enable practitioner knowledge to contribute to the diverse field of animal-human-technology studies.
Biography
Education
PhD, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, Wales, UK (Ongoing).
BA (Hons), History, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University.
Career
I am currently combining researching for a PhD in Geography with managing the research, conservation and aviculture projects of an international wildlife consultancy based in Carmarthenshire, Wales. I am an elected specialist member of the UK Hawk Board, and committe member of the British Falcon Racing Association.
Honours and awards
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law: BPP Law School, London.
- BA History (Hons) Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University
