Sarah Erskine sce32@cam.ac.uk
United Kingdom
Biological Anthropology, Newnham College
PhD thesis: How important is population structure in the evolution of prosocial behaviours in humans?
Research interests:
- The evolution of cooperation
- Kin selection
- Theoretical computational modelling
- The impact of inter-group conflict on prosocial behaviours
My research will involve recreating high-profile but outdated agent-based models simulating the evolution of prosocial behaviours in humans, and testing the parameters of these models using modern computing methods. I aim to compare the results of these tests to find consensus in how humans have evolved altruistic traits, despite the subsequent reduction in fitness.
Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?
My experience volunteering in the mental health sector and seeing my colleagues' unwavering and thankless kindness has sparked a curiosity in why humans will willingly sacrifice their time and energy for the benefit of people they do not know. I would like to better understand how behaviours that seemingly reduce our fitness can become ubiquitous in human societies.