Allison Johnson

I am an evolutionary biologist and ornithologist. I earned my PhD in 2016 from the University of Chicago under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Pruett-Jones. My research seeks to better understand the dynamics and evolution of social behavior. I utilize field observations, experimentation, collections based studies, and comparative methods to ask how sociality benefits individuals and how social behavior can change species evolution. Most recently I have examined conspecific and heterospecific social behavior in the fairy-wrens (Maluridae), cooperatively breeding birds endemic to Australia. I am currently taking a year-long sabbatical, publishing my dissertation and producing illustrations while applying for postdoctoral positions.

October 2016