Professor Dr. Stephen Nowicki

Biography

Stephen Nowicki is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biology at Duke University, with a focus on animal communication. His research addresses both proximate and ultimate questions about the function and evolution of signaling systems, particularly in birds. His work aims to understand signal reliability, or 'honesty,' which is maintained in the face of competing evolutionary interests among signal senders and receivers. Utilizing both laboratory experiments and field-based analyses, Nowicki investigates signaling mechanisms across a variety of taxa. He has served in several key academic roles, including as a Professor of Neurobiology and a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, which he has been part of since 2011. Nowicki is also affiliated with the Duke Initiative for Science & Society and has held the title of Bass Fellow since 2004. His published works explore various dimensions of animal behavior and communication, contributing significantly to the fields of ecology and evolution.

Research Interests