Dr Susan Cheyne

PhD

Teaching Fellow in Biological Anthropology

School of Social Sciences

Susan Cheyne

Role

I am a co-director of the Borneo Nature Foundation (www.borneonaturefoundation.org) and BRINCC (Borneo River Initiative for Nature Conservation and Communities (www.brinccborneo.org). I am a Teaching Fellow on the MSc in Primate Conservation and in Biological Anthropology.

I have carried out research in South East Asia since 1997 and Indonesia since 2002. I am leading a long-term study of gibbon behaviour, ecology and socio-ecology in peat-swamp forests as well as conducting a detailed study of gibbon population density and distribution across Indonesian Borneo (Hylobates albibarbis, H. muelleri and H. funereus). I initiated the first long-term, detailed study of felid and large mammal biodiversity and conservation in the area, and across Indonesian Borneo with a focus on the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi).

I am overseeing the continuation of the first long-term study of red langurs (Presbytis rubicunda) in peat-swamp forest. I work with several IUCN Specialist groups advising on and leading conservation policy and I am the Vice Chair of the IUCN Section on Small Apes http://www.gibbons.asia/. I have also carried out surveys on flying fox hunting and abundance, and is interested in how anthropogenic factors affect biodiversity in peat-swamp forests

Teaching and supervision

Courses

Modules taught

I am module leader for the following courses:

  • Becoming and Independent Researcher (ANTH5017)
  • Apes in the Anthropocene Independent Study (ANTH7014)
  • Captive Management and Rehabilitation (ANTH7005)

Supervision

I am currently supervising 3 PhD students.

Research Students

Name Thesis title Completed
Precious Bayliss Captive Conservation: Factors influencing public perceptions and attitudes toward primate conservation, does “the tragedy of becoming common” apply to zoo settings? Active
Emma Hankinson Megafauna Extinction on our watch: Conserving Sumatra’s last remaining elephant populations and their tropical forests Active

Research

I am interested in captive management of primates and other mammals including felids, especially in rescue centres in situ and contribute to ongoing research into the best approach to rehabilitation, reintroduction and translocation of apes.

Centres and institutes

Groups

Publications

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