Cape Town launch of Max Planck–UCT Centre for Behaviour and Coevolution

The Max Planck–University of Cape Town Centre for Behaviour and Coevolution has been operational since July 2024, when it was officially opened at a ceremony and a scientific workshop that took place in Seewiesen, Germany.

This year, it was formally launched in Cape Town. The event coincided with a visit from Co-Director of the Centre (with the Fitz’s Prof. Claire Spottiswoode), Prof. Bart Kempenaers, who, on Wednesday, 12 March, delivered a talk on some of his team’s projects, entitled "Sexual selection, sleep, and serendipity”.

The seminar was followed by presentations from Claire Spottiswoode and Gabriel Jamie (deputy co-Director) about the Centre and its research goals. The day ended on a relaxed note, with team members and attendees chatting and networking over snacks and drinks in the Niven Library.

Bart Kempenaers

Bart Kempenaers presenting in the Niven Library at the Cape Town launch of the Max Planck–University of Cape Town Centre for Behaviour and Coevolution

Cape Town MP-UCT CBC launch

l→r: Hussein Suleman, Science Faculty Dean; Gabriel Jamie; Colin Attwood, Biological Sciences Dept HoD

Cape Town MP-UCT CBC launch

l→r: Susan Miller, Celiwe Ngcamphalala, Maggie Mwale

Bart Kempenaers with Fitz MP-UCT CBC colleagues

l-r: Gabriel Jamie, Bart Kempenaers, Claire Spottiswoode, Susan Miller, Chima Nwaogu

Team members and attendees of the MP-UCT CBC launch

back, l→r: Prudence Tegueu Kemeni, Julia Cramer, Gabriel Jamie, Hussein Suleman (Science Faculty Dean), Colin Attwood (Biological Sciences Dept HoD), Bart Kempenaers, Claire Spottiswoode, Chima Nwaogu, Joel Radu, Susie Cunningham

front, l→r: Maggie Mwale, Celiwe Ngcamphalala, Susan Miller