Our laboratory uses an interdisciplinary and comparative approach to study cognitive evolution and animal behavior. We use experimental methods to investigate topics such as spatial cognition, social cognition, concept learning, animal welfare, and canine cognition. By studying a wide variety of species, we aim to better understand the neuromechanisms that support cognition as well as how evolution has shaped the cognitive abilities of a range of species.
Spatial cognition refers to how an individual encodes the properties of their environment to orient and navigate. This is an essential ability for ambulatory animals (including humans) to locate food, mates, and home. Our lab studies what stimuli are important for re-orientation and navigation and how the preferential use of these stimuli differ across species, age, and sex. We explore the biological and cognitive mechanisms underlying this ability, and what they mean for theories of navigation. Some examples of research questions we ask related to spatial cognition are:”
Dogs are an integral part of many people’s lives. Dogs have evolved side-by-side with humans for tens of thousands of years. Therefore, our understanding of canine cognition is applicable to all who interact daily with dogs. Our lab has asked questions such as:
Our lab recognizes the important connection between animals, humans and our environment. Our research uses a One Welfare approach to study the relationship between animals and humans with a focus on cognition and wellbeing.
P308A Duff Roblin Bldg, 190 Dysart Rd.
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
R3T 2N2 Canada
Debbie.Kelly @ umanitoba.ca
For general inquiries please contact
kellylabumanitoba @ gmail.com
Social Cognition
Living in large social groups has traditionally been thought of as an evolutionary precursor to complex cognitive abilities. This assumption was based on the impressive cognitive abilities of social living species. However, rarely have non-social species been studied. Our lab investigates how the sociality of a species influences the behaviour and cognitive abilities of our study species. Research questions we are examining include: