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I am Professor of Behavioural Science at the University of West London, working in Psychological Sciences within the School of Human and Social Sciences.
I am interested in what behaviour is, biologically grounded explanations of behaviour, and the nature of those explanations. My work draws particularly upon evolutionary and behavioural science, and combines theoretical work with empirical research on humans and birds.
My human research has focused on behavioural and physiological responses to social and ecological conditions, particularly inequality. This has included work on fertility in Western populations, hygiene norms and quality of life. Underlying much of this research is the idea that inequality captures important features of the environments to which humans respond at different levels of biological organisation.
I have also worked on applied environmental problems. These have included the design and delivery of a behaviour-change intervention to reduce fly-tipping in London and research into responses to climate change and mitigation technologies. I am interested more generally in how behavioural science can contribute to understanding environmental problems and responses to them.
My behavioural ecology research focuses particularly on seabirds. I have worked on kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) on Lundy, an island off the coast of North Devon, and in urban settings. My principal interests concern behaviour at and around the nest: reproductive decisions, parental effort, interactions between chicks, and the properties and selection of nest sites. The movement of kittiwakes between natural coastal cliffs and built environments provides an especially interesting opportunity to examine behaviour under different ecological conditions.
Current ecological projects also concern seabird conservation, nesting provision and interactions between birds and human infrastructure. Some of this work involves the development and use of computational models of behavioural and ecological processes.
Theory
Theory
My theoretical work focuses on evolutionary theory and its application, particularly within the behavioural sciences.
I have written about the Modern Synthesis, information in evolutionary biology, causation and the structure of evolutionary explanation. I am particularly interested in the relationship between theoretical models and the phenomena they are intended to explain, and in the different ways behavioural processes can be represented.
Increasingly, this has also led me to questions about the use of models and evidence in applied settings, particularly where decisions have to be made under conditions of uncertainty.
Experience
Experience
I have worked in UK universities throughout my career. Before joining the University of West London in 2025, I was Professor of Behavioural Science at Middlesex University, where I worked for more than twelve years. Prior to that I spent nine years at the University of East London.
My teaching has ranged across psychology, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and science studies. I have taught extensively across the BPS undergraduate curriculum, supervised Master's and doctoral research, and contributed to teaching in biological sciences.
Alongside teaching and research, I have held a range of academic leadership roles, including research leadership, Deputy Head of Department and Acting Head of Psychology. My current responsibilities include research strategy and research leadership within the School of Human and Social Sciences.
From 2006 I was involved in the foundation and organisation of the European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association. I also have extensive experience of academic editing and reviewing, conference organisation and public engagement.
Contacts
Contacts
School of Human and Social Sciences
University of West London
London TW8 9GA
tom DOT dickins AT uwl DOT ac DOT uk
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