Biography
Welcome! 👋 I’m Helen Currie (she/her), a final year PhD candidate in the International Centre for Ecohydraulics Research at the University of Southampton, UK.
My research thesis uses an interdisciplinary approach to investigate group responses of fish 🐟🐟🐟 to environmental change, e.g. noise 🔊. Results are applicable to conservation efforts to reduce the impacts of anthropogenic noise on the collective behaviour of fishes, and the development of acoustic deterrent systems. These technologies could assist in controlling range expansion of invasive species 💪, or reduce screening impingement and fish mortalities 🤕☠️ at dangerous sites (e.g. hydropower dams). My PhD is sponsored by the Natural Environment Research Council and Fishtek Consulting Ltd.
Further to my main research interests, I am also involved in a number of interdisciplinary projects, including:
- understanding the mechanical response of nematode infected European eel swimbladder
- the impacts of rapid decompression, or “barotrauma”, on neotropical ichthyofauna.
I enjoy public engagement and science communication projects, and have previously worked in science policy, taking a lead role in collating organisational responses to UK Government environmental consultations. Additionally, I am highly active in promoting and advocating for equality, diversity and inclusivity within my research institution.
🎓 Feel free to contact me should you have a collaborative project or idea you wish to discuss - or even a suitable postdoc or consultancy role (I am looking)!
Also happy to chat about:
- 🏑 field hockey/ sport in general
- 🎸 live music
- 🍰 baking
- ☕️ coffee and 🍻 good beer
Interests
- Animal communication
- Anthropogenic disturbance
- Aquatic ecology and conservation
- Predator-prey interactions
- Behavioural development
- Collective behaviour
- Fisheries management
- Science policy and environmental law
Education
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PhD in Environmental Engineering, ongoing
University of Southampton
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ILTeR Introduction to Learning and Teaching for Researchers, 2018
University of Southampton
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MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, 2013
The Queen's University of Belfast
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BSc (Hons) in Biology and Psychology, 2010
Newcastle University
