Susannah Thorpe

Prof

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Susannah Thorpe studies the association between animal form, function and performance, through lab and zoo-based studies of functional morphology and biomechanics, combined with field studies of the performance of animals in their natural habitat.

The study of functional morphology and biomechanics allows us to ask how animal structures work; whether observed structures are superior to possible alternatives for given behaviours and how different structures can serve the same mechanical function. It shows how particular designs have been favoured by natural selection because they work better than the alternatives, or because they are particularly economical of energy or materials. Ecomorphology builds on this approach by relating the structures of different animals to aspects of their environment, such as resource availability. In Dr Thorpe’s laboratory work is taking place in the broad field of ecomorphology, but it specialises in adaptations of the locomotor system. Specific themes in Dr Thorpe’s lab at present are the evolution of human bipedalism; how animals (including humans) interact with complex habitats; and the cognitive demands of complex locomotion.

19982023

Research activity per year

Personal profile

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):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

External positions

Tywcross Zoo

1 May 20151 Jun 2017

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