Evolution Lab

• 
  Director
  Dr Khandis Blake

  khandis.blake@unimelb.edu.au

  03 9035 5733

Research Overview

Visit the Evolution Lab website

Using a unique blend of behavioural science, evolutionary biology, and gender studies, our aim is to understand gender relations and female empowerment, and to reduce sexual conflict. The combined application of nature and nurture provides a useful guide to understanding how insights from psychology and biology can be used to promote gender equality.

Research from the Evolution Lab addresses big issues that profoundly influence people’s mental, social and economic wellbeing. To investigate these outcomes, we use a variety of methods in the lab:

• Experimental Psychology, including aggression paradigms, facial recognition tests, agency measures, measures of inter- and intrasexual competitiveness, and other behavioural outcomes.
• Hormonal Testing Procedures, including estradiol and progesterone assays, Luteinising-Hormone (LH) measurements and fertility assessments.
• Big Data, such as the analysis of Instagram images, Facebook posts and Twitter data (including the development of Twitplat, a project collecting over 6 million Twitter posts worldwide).

Research Opportunities

This research project is available to PhD students to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.