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Gilly Forrester

@gillyforrester.bsky.social

780 followers 1K following 140 posts

Prof of comparative cognition investigating how we evolved & develop cognitive abilities (w/wo neurodiverse conditions) Researching brains & behaviours of human infants & children, gorillas, chimpanzees & orangutans. Passionate about science communication

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Aug 24

Broadcaster @claudiahammond.bsky.social takes us on a tour of the Psychology of Laughter, Lies and Gambling with psychologists Tom Ormerod, Bryan Singer and me 😃 to reveal why we laugh, what happens in the brain when we gamble and how to spot a liar
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/think-agai...

Think Again- Laughter, Lies & Gambling

Broadcaster Claudia Hammond hosts THINK AGAIN!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 1d

Do you recognise her? It's because we're related. Just like you and me she has thoughts, emotions, desires, friendships, joy, grief and everything in between. When we learn about what it means to be human we are also learning what it means to be ape.

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 4d

We’ve arrived at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone for a research visit to better understand chimpanzee behaviour and stress responses- using humans as a psychological model for mental wellbeing.

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you BBC Radio Sussex for inviting me to share my thoughts about the legendary Jane Goodall this morning - you can listen at 11:09
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 7d

Today we must say goodbye to Jane Goodall. However, for millions like me, her messaging and her work to learn about and conserve chimpanzees will continue. Thank you Jane, for a lifetime of dedication, passion and tireless effort to help us to connect with and protect our cousins.

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Reposted by Gilly Forrester

University of Sussex @sussex.ac.uk · 8d

Learn how the human brain evolved as Sussex psychologist Professor @gillyforrester.bsky.social shows @jimalkhalili.bsky.social how primates tackle survival challenges in Secrets of the Brain. Watch now on iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Secrets of the Brain - Series 1: Episode 2

From playing computer games with chimpanzees to studying modern relationships, Jim Al-Khalili investigates how the brain evolved and how it differs from AI.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 9d

Secrets of the Brain is now available on player! 🧠🧠🧠https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002k783/secrets-of-the-brain-series-1-episode-2

Secrets of the Brain - Series 1: Episode 2

From playing computer games with chimpanzees to studying modern relationships, Jim Al-Khalili investigates how the brain evolved and how it differs from AI.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 17d

Today we are in matching jumpers and getting used to a new lead. Bugsy definitely wears it better! 😂 #Brighton #catsoﬁnstagram #happysunday

Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 19d

Thank you Cafe Scientifique Brighton for inviting me to speak to your members about measuring stress using thermal imaging based on my research at the University of Sussex. I highly recommend this free public talk series for both speakers and listeners www.meetup.com/brighton-caf...

Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · 24d

Thanks @newscientist.com for inviting my comment on thermal imaging and stress research in human and non-human great apes! 📹 www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...

Why your nose could be the perfect window into your mental state

Diagnosing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can be difficult, but it turns out that your nose could help doctors understand when you are feeling the strain, says Gillian Forrester

www.newscientist.com

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Sep 4

A 2 minute read:
www.scientificamerican.com/article/chim...

Chimps, Humans and Macaques All Love a Little Drama

Our social voyeurism may have deep evolutionary roots

www.scientificamerican.com

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Sep 4

This lovely BBC short doc presented by Melissa Hoganboom has garnered over 2M views! So pleased to have been a contributor to this and the longer form doc 'Brainhacks' back in 2023 #research #development #brains #cognition
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi9X...

'How I rewired my brain in six weeks' - BBC News

YouTube video by BBC News

www.youtube.com

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Aug 24

Think Again- Laughter, Lies & Gambling

Broadcaster Claudia Hammond hosts THINK AGAIN!

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Aug 20

Super excited to announce our next THINK AGAIN! show in November hosted by @claudiahammond.bsky.social We'll be chatting about Laughter, Lies and Gambling. Tickets will be on sale soon! #psychology #research #laughter #lies #gambling

Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Aug 20

Obsessed with this new single released by Edie Blue - and so looking forward to her new album release coming soon ❤️ Having a very proud mother moment. open.spotify.com/track/0zNrx4...

See It Through

Edie Blue · See It Through · Song · 2025

open.spotify.com

Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Aug 18

Awesome day @greenmanfest.bsky.social science journalist and presenter @bbcvic.bsky.social, #Traitors #faithful Jaz Singh, and mathematician @steckl.es for a live recording of #BBC Radio 4 Inside Science - all about games and the role they play in human and animal life 🎲🎰🎮

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Aug 12

Have you missed BBC Horizon? Then don't miss a very special free pre-screening (with Q&A) of: Secrets of the Brain - hosted by @claudiahammond.bsky.social

Join Claudia, me and BAFTA/Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Smith 22nd September 6:30pm at the University of Sussex 🧠

tinyurl.com/3tcetryj

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Aug 6

On the radio this morning #BBC Radio Sussex with Sarah Gorrell chatting about a new study about gorilla female relationships from researchers at University of Zurich: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

You can listen here by rewinding to 10:38

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Dispersed female networks: female gorillas’ inter-group relationships influence dispersal decisions | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Dispersal is a fundamental aspect of many animal societies, impacting gene flow, knowledge transmission, culture and individual fitness. However, little is known about the information individuals use ...

royalsocietypublishing.org

Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Jul 23

www.womanthology.co.uk/no-expiry-da...

No expiry date on talent: Supporting researchers to resume their careers - Womanthology: Homepage

Dr Katie Perry is chief executive of the Daphne Jackson Trust, the UK’s leading organisation supporting researchers returning to their [...]Read More... from No expiry date on talent: Supporting resea...

www.womanthology.co.uk

Reposted by Gilly Forrester

John Drury @profjohndrury.bsky.social · Jun 27

Glastonbury Festival science stage led by Sussex professor @gillyforrester.bsky.social

www.theargus.co.uk/news/2526287...

University of Sussex professor to curate Glastonbury stage this weekend

A University of Sussex professor will be curating a stage at Glastonbury Festival this weekend

www.theargus.co.uk

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Jun 6

If you're going to #GlastonburyFestival - and don't mind mixing your music with a bit of science-themed music, comedy, chat demos and more, then you won't want to miss our Laboratory Stage lineup at Science Futures 🧪🥼🧠@robinince.bsky.social #BBCNHU
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/line-up/line...

Line-Up 2025 - Glastonbury Festivals

www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Reposted by Gilly Forrester

Dr Simon Kenworthy @si-monkeys.bsky.social · Jun 4

Please share far and wide! A fantastic opportunity for primatologists of all ages to develop their field skills - aimed particularly at those who face barriers to obtaining fieldwork 🐒

www.psgb.org/pages/psgb-f...

PSGB Field Skills Workshop | Primate Society of Great Britain

www.psgb.org

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Jun 3

If you're interested in Science Public Engagement and want to hear more.... join us for this Summer of Science KEI panel @sussex.ac.uk next week on how small scale funding can have big impact!
www.sussex.ac.uk/research/abo...

Small-scale funding; BIG difference - nurturing impact partnerships through seed-funded activity

A panel discussion brings together academics who have recently received internal seed-funding to develop impact activities through knowledge exchange

www.sussex.ac.uk

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Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · Jun 1

Climbing trees, watching insects and having snacks - a lovely Sunday in Brighton #BugsLife #Brighton #cat #HappySunday

Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · May 27

Realising the only way science is getting done today is if I wear my cat #happytuesday #cat #BugsLife

Gilly Forrester @gillyforrester.bsky.social · May 27

You can now find the full Science Futures lineup for Glastonbury 2025 here!!! 🧫🥼🧪🔭🔬 www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-gr...

Science Futures - Glastonbury Festivals

Discover science in true Glastonbury style at Science Futures. Explore how science shapes our daily lives and is levelling-up to preserve and protect our planet. Don’t miss a packed line-up on the Lab...