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RESEARCH OUTPUT

Publications

The Joyful by Nature project contributes to research on animal cognition, emotional expression and social communication across species. Below is a selection of publications related to the project and its research themes.

Joyful by nature: approaches to investigate the evolution and fun...

Nelson, X.J., Taylor, A.H., Cartmill, E.A., Lyn, H., Robinson, L.M., Janik, V.M., Allen, C. (2023) Biological Reviews 98(5):1548–1563

This paper explores theoretical and methodological approaches for studying positive emotions in animals. The authors discuss how signals associa

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Research in the Media​

Winkler, S.L., Laumer, I.B., Lyn, H. et al. Bonobos tend to behave optimistically after hearing laughter. Sci Rep 15, 20067 (2025).

Scientists measure animal joy and emotions. This article explores the growing scientific interest in positive emotions in animals and how researchers study signals associated with joy, play and social bonding.

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Joy and Emotion in Animals​

Paper under review “Kea parrots and bottlenose dolphins show contextual flexibility in play-associated calls while chimpanzees show contextual specificity”

A short talk exploring the scientific questions behind the study of joy in animals, including how positive emotional signals influence behaviour, learning and social interaction.

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Joyful by nature: approaches to investigate the evolution and fun...​

Nelson, X.J., Taylor, A.H., Cartmill, E.A., Lyn, H., Robinson, L.M., Janik, V.M., Allen, C. (2023) Biological Reviews 98(5):1548–1563

This paper explores theoretical and methodological approaches for studying positive emotions in animals. The authors discuss how signals associa

Read publication

Joyful by nature: approaches to investigate the evolution and fun...​

Nelson, X.J., Taylor, A.H., Cartmill, E.A., Lyn, H., Robinson, L.M., Janik, V.M., Allen, C. (2023) Biological Reviews 98(5):1548–1563

This paper explores theoretical and methodological approaches for studying positive emotions in animals. The authors discuss how signals associa

Read publication

Joyful by nature: approaches to investigate the evolution and fun...​

Nelson, X.J., Taylor, A.H., Cartmill, E.A., Lyn, H., Robinson, L.M., Janik, V.M., Allen, C. (2023) Biological Reviews 98(5):1548–1563

This paper explores theoretical and methodological approaches for studying positive emotions in animals. The authors discuss how signals associa

Read publication