Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Staff Profile

Professor Melissa Bateson

Professor of Ethology

  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5056
  • Address: Biosciences Institute
    Faculty of Medical Sciences
    Â鶹´«Ã½
    Henry Wellcome Building
    Framlington Place
    Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne
    NE2 4HH
Background

Introduction

I am an ethologist, with a strong track record of theoretically motivated empirical research in the biology of behaviour. My research is focused on understanding how stressful lifetime experience alters behaviour, cognition and biomarkers of health and wellbeing in a range of species including starlings, rhesus macaques and humans. I am specifically interested in understanding the effects of food insecurity experienced both in early life and adulthood. I am interested in applying my findings to bring about improvements in animal welfare and human health and wellbeing. I am committed to improving openness and transparency in behavioural science.

Roles and Responsibilities

Workstream lead in measuring health for the Â鶹´«Ã½ Centre for Healthier Lives

Qualifications

1993 DPhil in Animal Behaviour (Department of Zoology, University of Oxford)

1990: MA in Zoology with Biological Anthropology (University of Oxford, first class honours)

Previous Positions

2009-2012 Reader in Ethology (Institute of Neuroscience, Â鶹´«Ã½)

2007- 2009 University lecturer (Department of Psychology, Â鶹´«Ã½)

1998-2007 Royal Society University Research Fellow (Â鶹´«Ã½)

1995-1998 Wellcome Advanced Training Fellow (University of Oxford/ Duke University)

1993-1995 Postdoctoral RA, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford.

Memberships

Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour

International Society for Comparative Cognition

Universities' Federation for Animal Welfare

Areas of expertise

Measuring the behaviour of human and non-human animals; telomere dynamics and other biomarkers of stress exposure; understanding the biological and psychological impacts of food insecurity; applications to antisocial behaviour, overeating and obesity and animal welfare.

Google Scholar:

Research

Introduction

I am an ethologist, with a strong track record of theoretically motivated empirical research in the biology of behaviour. My research is focused on understanding how stressful lifetime experience alters behaviour, cognition and biomarkers of health and wellbeing in a range of species including starlings, rhesus macaques and humans. I am specifically interested in understanding the effects of food insecurity experienced both in early life and adulthood. I am interested in applying my findings to bring about improvements in animal welfare and human health and wellbeing. I am committed to improving openness and transparency in behavioural science.

Teaching

Undergraduate Teaching

  • PSY2019 Research Assistance (supervisor)
  • PSY3097/3096 Psychology empirical project supervisor
  • PSY3049 Evolution of Brain and Behaviour (contributing lecturer)

Postgraduate Teaching (MRes)

  • MMB8003: The Biological Study of Behaviour (module leader and primary lecturer)
  • MMB8045: Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare (contributing lecturer)
  • Research project supervisor.
Publications

  • Articles

    • Neal C, Pepper GV, Shannon OM, Allen C, Bateson M, Nettle D. . Appetite 2025, 204, 107732.
    • Rault J-L, Bateson M, Boissy A, Forkman B, Grinde B, Gygax L, Harfeld JL, Hintze S, Keeling LJ, Kostal L, Lawrence AB, Mendl MT, Miele M, Newberry RC, Sandoe P, Spinka M, Taylor AH, Webb LE, Whalin L, Jensen MB. . Biology Letters 2025, 21(1), 20240382.
    • Ciminelli G, Witham C, Bateson M. . Animal Welfare 2024, 33, e59.
    • Jensen EH, Bateson M, Neave HW, Rault J-L, Jensen MB. . Scientific Reports 2024, 14(1), 13728.
    • Jensen EH, Bateson M, Neave HW, Rault J-L, Jensen MB. . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2024, 272, 106182.
    • Neave HW, Rault J-L, Bateson M, Jensen EH, Jensen MB. . Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023, 10, 1257055.
    • Hofmeister NR, Stuart KC, Warren WC, Werner SJ, Bateson M, Ball GF, Buchanan KL, Burt DW, Cardilini APA, Cassey P, DeMeyer T, George J, Meddle SL, Rowland HM, Sherman CDH, Sherwin WB, Vanden Berghe W, Rollins LA, Clayton DF. . Molecular Ecology 2025, 34(14), e17195.
    • Stuart KC, Edwards RJ, Cheng Y, Warren WC, Burt DW, Sherwin WB, Hofmeister NR, Werner SJ, Ball GF, Bateson M, Brandley MC, Buchanan KL, Cassey P, Clayton DF, De Meyer T, Meddle SL, Rollins LA. . Molecular Ecology Resources 2022, 22(8), 3141-3160.
    • Morgan L, Birkler RID, Shaham-Niv S, Dong Y, Wachsman T, Carmi L, Yakobson B, Adler-Abramovich L, Cohen H, Zohar J, Bateson M, Gazit E. . Scientific Reports 2022, 12(1), 18470.
    • Stuart KC, Sherwin WB, Austin JJ, Bateson M, Eens M, Brandley MC, Rollins LA. . Molecular Ecology 2022, 31(6), 1836-1852.
    • Shinwell J, Bateson M, Nettle D, Pepper GV. . British Journal of Nutrition 2022, 128(4), 770-777.
    • Bateson M, Nolan R. . Animals 2022, 12(9), 1159.
    • Iyasere OS, Bateson M, Beard AP, Guy JH. . Journal of Thermal Biology 2021, 99, 102981.
    • Andrews C, Dunn J, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Animal Cognition 2021, 24, 731-745.
    • Iyasere OS, Bateson M, Beard AP, Guy JH. . Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2021, 24(2), 188-199.
    • Bateson M, Andrews C, Dunn J, Egger CBCM, Gray F, McHugh M, Nettle D. . PeerJ 2021, 9.
    • Andrews C, Zuidersma E, Verhulst S, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Royal Society Open Science 2021, 8(9), 211099.
    • Poirier C, Bateson M, Gualtieri F, Armstrong EA, Laws GC, Boswell T, Smulders TV. . Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 2019, 101, 113-121.
    • Bateson M, Aviv A, Bendix L, Benetos A, Ben-Shlomo Y, Bojesen SE, Cooper C, Cooper R, Deary IJ, Hagg S, Harris SE, Kark JD, Kronenberg F, Kuh D, Labat C, Martin-Ruiz CM, Meyer C, Nordestgaard BG, Penninx BWJH, Pepper GV, Revesz D, Said MA, Starr JM, Syddall H, Thomson WM, Van Der Harst P, Whooley M, Von Zglinicki T, Willeit P, Zhan Y, Nettle D. . Royal Society Open Science 2019, 6(6), 190420.
    • Poirier C, Oliver CJ, Castellano Bueno J, Flecknell P, Bateson M. . Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 7476.
    • Nettle D, Bateson M. . Journal of Obesity 2019, 2019, 7174058.
    • Godsell S, Randle M, Bateson M, Nettle D. . Frontiers in Psychology 2019, 10, 1886.
    • Dunn J, Andrews C, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Animal Cognition 2019, 22(3), 413-421.
    • Gott A, Andrews C, Bedford T, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Animal Cognition 2019, 22, 99-111.
    • Bateson M, Eisenberg DTA, Nettle D. . Royal Society Open Science 2019, 6(10), 190937.
    • Nettle D, Seeker L, Nussey D, Froy H, Bateson M. . PLoS ONE 2019, 14(5).
    • Bateson M, Poirier C. . Animal Welfare 2019, 28(1), 41-56.
    • Bateson M, Nettle D. . Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 2018, 373, 20160438.
    • Pepper G, Bateson M, Nettle D. . Royal Society Open Science 2018, 5(8), 180744.
    • Nettle D, Joly M, Broadbent E, Smith C, Tittle E, Bateson M. . Appetite 2018, 132, 222-229.
    • Dunn J, Andrews C, Nettle D, Bateson M. . PLOS One 2018, 13(10), e0206363.
    • Dunn J, Andrews C, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Royal Society Open Science 2018, 5, 171918.
    • Gott A, Andrews C, Hormigos ML, Spencer K, Bateson M, Nettle D. . PeerJ 2018, 6, e5842.
    • van Berkel M, Bateson M, Nettle D, Dunn J. . Animal Behaviour 2018, 142, 147-155.
    • Andrews C, Nettle D, Reichert S, Bedford T, Monaghan P, Bateson M. . Behavioral Ecology 2018, 29(3), 589-597.
    • Iyasere OS, Edwards SA, Bateson M, Mitchell M, Guy JH. . Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 2017, 133, 1-8.
    • Bateson M, Nettle D. . Aging Cell 2017, 16(2), 312-319.
    • Poirier C, Bateson M. . Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 2017, 83, 508-515.
    • Robertson BA, Rathbone L, Cirillo G, D'Eath RB, Bateson M, Boswell T, Wilson PW, Dunn IC, Smulders TV. . PLoS ONE 2017, 12(12), e0189158.
    • Nettle D, Andrews C, Bateson M. . Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2017, 40, e105.
    • Iyasere OS, Beard AP, Guy JH, Bateson M. . Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 6860.
    • Bedford T, Oliver CJ, Andrews C, Bateson M, Nettle D. . Animal Behaviour 2017, 128, 51-60.
    • Nettle D, Andrews C, Reichert S, Bedford T, Kolenda C, Parker C, Martin-Ruiz C, Monaghan P, Bateson M. . Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 40794.
    • Henry S, Fureix C, Rowberry R, Bateson M, Hausberger M. . The Science of Nature 2017, 104(1-2), 8.
    • Neville V, Andrews C, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 14823.
    • Nettle D, Bateson M. . PeerJ 2017, 2017(4), e3265.
    • Nettle D, Bateson M. . PeerJ 2017, 5, e3528.
    • Nettle D, Andrews C, Bateson M. . Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2017, 40, e131.
    • Andrews C, Nettle D, Larriva M, Gillespie R, Reichert S, Brilot BO, Bedford T, Monaghan P, Spencer KA, Bateson M. . Royal Society Open Science 2017, 4, 171208.
    • Bateson M. . BioEssays 2016, 38(2), 201-212.
    • Nettle D, Andrews C, Reichert S, Bedford T, Gott A, Parker C, Kolenda C, Martin-Ruiz C, Monaghan P, Bateson M. . Ecology and Evolution 2016, 6(22), 8138-8148.
    • Lee C, Verbeek E, Doyle R, Bateson M. . Biology Letters 2016, 12(6).
    • Bateson M, Robinson R, Abayomi-Cole T, Greenlees J, O'Connor A, Nettle D. . PeerJ 2015, 3, e1443.
    • Bateson M, Emmerson M, Ergün G, Monaghan P, Nettle D. . PLoS ONE 2015, 10(7), e0132602.
    • O'Hagan D, Andrews CP, Bedford T, Bateson M, Nettle D. . Animal Behaviour 2015, 102, 141-148.
    • Andrews C, Viviani J, Egan E, Bedford T, Brilot B, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Animal Behaviour 2015, 109, 123-132.
    • Bateson M, Brilot BO, Gillespie R, Monaghan P, Nettle D. . Proceedings of the Royal Society B 2015, 282(1799), 20142140.
    • Nettle D, Andrews CP, Monaghan P, Brilot BO, Bedford T, Gillespie R, Bateson M. . Animal Behaviour 2015, 107, 239-248.
    • Bateson M, Nettle D. . PEERJ 2015, 3, e998.
    • Nettle D, Monaghan P, Gillespie R, Brilot B, Bedford T, Bateson M. . Proceedings of the Royal Society B 2015, 282, 20141610.
    • Hunter JE, Butterworth J, Perkins ND, Bateson M, Richardson CA. . British Journal of Cancer 2014, 110, 928-934.
    • Bloxham L, Bateson M, Bedford T, Brilot B, Nettle D. . Animal Behaviour 2014, 91, 33-40.
    • Dixon LM, Brocklehurst S, Sandilands V, Bateson M, Tolkamp BJ, D'Eath RB. . PLoS ONE 2014, 9(7), e102322.
    • Bateson M, Tovée MJ, George HR, Gouws A, Cornelissen PL. . Evolution & Human Behavior 2014, 35(2), 133-139.
    • Fathi M, Bateson M, Nettle D. . Evolutionary Psychology 2014, 12(5), 878-887.
    • Barnett CA, Bateson M, Rowe C. . Biology Letters 2014, 10(11), 1-4.
    • Nettle D, Harper Z, Kidson A, Stone R, Penton-Voak IS, Bateson M. . Evolution and Human Behavior 2013, 34(1), 35-40.
    • Nettle D, Cronin KA, Bateson M. . Animal Behaviour 2013, 86(3), 595-602.
    • Feenders G, Bateson M. . Animal Behaviour 2013, 86(1), 127-138.
    • Jayne K, Feenders G, Bateson M. . Animal Welfare 2013, 22(1), 67-78.
    • Bateson M, Callow L, Holmes JR, Roche MLR, Nettle D. . PLoS ONE 2013, 8(12), e82055.
    • Dixon LM, Sandilands V, Bateson M, Brocklehurst S, Tolkamp BJ, D'Eath RB. . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2013, 148(1-2), 164-176.
    • Eens M, Jaspers VLB, Van den Steen E, Bateson M, Carere C, Clergeau P, Costantini D, Dolenec Z, Elliott JE, Flux J, Gwinner H, Halbrook RS, Heeb P, Mazgajski TD, Moksnes A, Polo V, Soler JJ, Sinclair R, Veiga JP, Williams TD, Covaci A, Pinxten R. . Environment International 2013, 51, 141-149.
    • Nettle D, Monaghan P, Boner W, Gillespie R, Bateson M. . PLoS One 2013, 8(12), e83617.
    • Brilot BO, Nettle D, Whittingham MJ, Bateson M, Read JCA. . The American Naturalist 2012, 179(6), E180-E195.
    • Brilot BO, Bateson M. . Biology Letters 2012, 8(3), 379-381.
    • Feenders G, Bateson M. . Developmental Psychobiology 2012, 54(8), 773-784.
    • Douglas C, Bateson M, Walsh C, Bédué A, Edwards SA. . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2012, 139(1-2), 65-73.
    • Barnett CA, Skelhorn J, Bateson M, Rowe C. . Behavioral Ecology 2012, 23(2), 418-424.
    • Nettle D, Nott K, Bateson M. . PLoS One 2012, 7(12), e51738.
    • Morgan KV, Hurly TA, Bateson M, Asher L, Healy SD. . Behavioural Processes 2012, 89(2), 115-120.
    • Feenders G, Bateson M. . PLoS ONE 2011, 6(2), e17466.
    • Feenders G, Klaus K, Bateson M. . PLoS ONE 2011, 6(4), e19074.
    • Brydges NM, Leach M, Nicol K, Wright R, Bateson M. . Animal Behaviour 2011, 81(1), 169-175.
    • Ernest-Jones M, Nettle D, Bateson M. . Evolution and Human Behavior 2011, 32(3), 172-178.
    • Salmeto AL, Hymel KA, Carpenter EC, Brilot BO, Bateson M, Sufka KJ. . Brain Research 2011, 1373, 124-130.
    • Bateson M, Desire S, Gartside SE, Wright GA. . Current Biology 2011, 21(12), 1070-1073.
    • Bateson M, Feenders G. . ILAR Journal 2010, 51(4), 394-408.
    • Brilot BO, Asher L, Bateson M. . Animal Cognition 2010, 13(5), 721-731.
    • Brilot BO, Asher L, Bateson M. . Animal Behaviour 2009, 78(4), 801-807.
    • Asher L, Davies TTO, Bertenshaw C, Cox MAA, Bateson M. . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2009, 116(2-4), 286-294.
    • Brilot BO, Asher L, Feenders G, Bateson M. . Behavioural Processes 2009, 82(3), 256-264.
    • Cornelissen PL, Tovee MJ, Bateson M. . Journal of Theoretical Biology 2009, 256(3), 343-350.
    • Brilot BO, Normandale CL, Parkin A, Bateson M. . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2009, 118(3-4), 182-190.
    • Asher L, Kirkden RD, Bateson M. . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2009, 118(3-4), 152-160.
    • Matheson SM, Asher L, Bateson M. . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2008, 109(2-4), 374-383.
    • Barnett CA, Bateson M, Rowe C. . Behavioral Ecology 2007, 18(4), 645-651.
    • Bateson M, Matheson S. . Animal Welfare 2007, 16(supplement 1), 33-36.
    • Smith KL, Tovee MJ, Hancock PJB, Bateson M, Cox MAA, Cornelissen PL. . Visual Cognition 2007, 15(8), 927-953.
    • Henderson J, Hurly TA, Bateson M, Healy SD. . Current Biology 2006, 16(5), 512-515.
    • Matell MS, Bateson M, Meck WH. . Psychopharmacology 2006, 188(2), 201-212.
    • Bateson M, Nettle D, Roberts G. . Biology Letters 2006, 2(3), 412-414.
    • Bateson M. . Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 2006, 37, xxx-xxx.
    • Bateson M. . Animal Welfare 2004, 13(supplement 1), S115-S120.
    • Bateson M, Healy SD, Hurly TA. . Proceedings of The Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 2003, 270(1521), 1271-1276.
    • Bateson M. . Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2002, 61(4), 509-516.
    • Bateson M, Healy SD, Hurly TA. . Animal Behaviour 2002, 63(3), 587-596.
    • Bateson M. . Animal Behaviour 2002, 64(2), 251-260.
    • Bean D, Mason GJ, Bateson M. . Behaviour 1999, 136(10), 1267-1282.

  • Authored Book

    • Bateson M, Martin P. . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021.

  • Book Chapters

    • Bateson M, Asher L. . In: Hubrecht, R & Kirkwood, J, ed. The UFAW Handbook on The Care and Management of Laboratory and Other Research Animals. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, pp.697-705.
    • Bateson M. . In: Breed, MD; Moore, J, ed. Encyclopedia of Animal Behaviour. Oxford: Elsevier Science, 2010, pp.13-19.
    • Bateson M, Cornelissen PL, Tovée MJ. . In: Furnham, A; Swami, V, ed. The Body Beautiful: Evolutionary and Socio-cultural Perspectives. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007, pp.46-62.

  • Editorials

    • Bateson M. . Current Biology 2015, 25(14), R591-R593.
    • Bateson M. . Nature Methods 2014, 11(6), 623-624.
    • Bateson M, Brilot B, Nettle D. . Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2011, 56(12), 707-715.
    • Flecknell P, Leach M, Bateson M. . Pain 2011, 152(5), 963-964.
    • Bateson M, Healy SD. . Trends in Ecology & Evolution 2005, 20(12), 659-664.
    • Bateson P, Bateson M. . The Veterinary Journal 2002, 163(2), 113-114.

  • Reviews

    • Bateson M, Pepper GV. . Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 2023, 378(1888), 20220228.
    • Bateson M. . Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences 2016, 12, 115-121.
    • Hills TT, Todd PM, Lazer D, Redish AD, Couzin ID, Bateson M, Cools R, Dukas R, Giraldeau L-A, Macy MW, Page SE, Shiffrin RM, Stephens DW, Wolfe JW. . Trends in Cognitive Sciences 2015, 19(1), 46-54.
    • Nettle D, Bateson M. . Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences 2015, 282(1812), 23-31.
    • Nettle D, Bateson M. . Current Biology 2012, 22(17), R712-R721.
    • Asher L, Bateson M. . Laboratory Animals 2008, 42(2), 111-126.