by Dr Sebastian Pohl

Social insects such as ants or bees are among the most numerous and widespread animal groups on Earth. What makes them so successful? And can we learn from them for and about our own societies? This course explores the ecology and evolution of social insect societies, and their impact on the environment. Students will learn about the importance of cooperation, communication, and collective decision making for the formation and functioning of societies. We will explore the interactions between social insects and humans, and study how these diverse societies influence and shape each other within environmental and conservation frameworks.