In the Spotlight: BATMAN Team Shares Insights at Local Conference

On April 10th, members of our BATMAN research team made a strong impact at the University of Chester’s School of Natural Sciences Conference. With over 135 attendees and 39 presentations spanning disciplines such as molecular biology, environmental science, data science, and veterinary research, the event highlighted the school’s vibrant research community.

The conference offered an exciting platform for our BATMAN team to present their latest findings, with one presentation earning special recognition through a conference award.

Lucy Morison - Opening Talk and Best Presentation Award

Lucy Morison kicked off the day with a compelling 15-minute presentation titled “Quantifying Responses to Anthropogenic Stressors in the Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros).” Lucy discussed her innovative methods for non-invasively collecting faecal and urine samples to assess physiological stress in wild bat populations. She also offered an accessible explanation of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs) used to measure levels of stress hormones, providing attendees with both scientific insight and real-world application. Her talk was met with high praise, earning her First Prize for Best Oral Presentation and her second award this year. Congratulations, Lucy, on another outstanding achievement!

Photo credits: Simon Forster

Dr Christina Stanley – Keynote Address

Our BATMAN project’s Principal Investigator, Dr Christina Stanley, delivered an engaging and thought-provoking keynote titled “In the Dark: The Social Behaviour and Welfare of Bats.” Her 40-minute talk captivated the audience with an exploration into the intricacies of bat social behaviour, highlighting the often-overlooked importance of understanding bat welfare on an individual level. Chrissy introduced the audience to social network analysis techniques used with zoo-housed bats, including the use of RFID tagging for identifying individuals during feeding. She also addressed the challenges posed by anthropogenic stressors and how both behavioural observation and physiological monitoring can help evaluate the well-being of wild bat populations, offering a fascinating window into the BATMAN project’s broader goals.

Photo credits: Simon Forster

Dr Camilla Soravia - Lightning Talk and Poster Presentation

Dr Camilla Soravia delivered a dynamic one-minute lightning talk to introduce her poster, Understanding and Mitigating the Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Lesser Horseshoe Bats. Her poster clearly communicated the project's innovative approach to monitoring bat behaviour and welfare through non-invasive methods, such as measuring faecal cortisol and acoustic communication across maternity roosts in areas with different levels of human activity. Using striking visuals, Camilla also effectively illustrated how light pollution correlates with delayed bat emergence. Her presentation not only showcased the scientific value of the BATMAN project but also highlighted her strong communication skills and passion for conservation research.

Photo credits: Simon Forster

The 2025 SNS Conference was a resounding success, marked by a vibrant exchange of ideas and a strong sense of community. It was especially exciting to see the impactful work of the BATMAN team at the forefront of conversations about bat conservation and welfare. We are already looking forward to next year’s event and the continued progress of this important research.

A Bat Adventure: From Chester to Brighton for Science, Conservation, and Fun

January 2025 was all about bats! What better way to kick off the year than with an epic journey from Chester to Brighton to delve deep into the fascinating world of bat research and conservation? This two-day adventure took us from an intensive workshop on bat call analysis to the buzzing excitement of the 7th British Bat Research Symposium, and it did not disappoint!

Day 1: Cracking the Code of Bat Calls

On Thursday, January 23rd, we hit the road (and rails!) for the picturesque seaside town of Brighton. Our destination? The University of Sussex, where we attended an exclusive SonoBat workshop led by the brilliant Martyn Cooke, the UK representative for SonoBat Bat Call Analysis Software. Martyn opened our eyes (and ears!) to the hidden language of bats. We learned how this software can help researchers identify bat species with remarkable precision, all while getting hands-on experience with the tools of the trade.

Day 2: A Celebration of All Things Bats

Friday, January 24th, marked the 7th British Bat Research Symposium, an event that brought together bat researchers and conservationists. We had the privilege of hearing from two renowned guest speakers:

• Professor Fiona Mathews, a leading expert in Environmental Biology and Mammalian Biology at the University of Sussex. She gave an inspiring talk on how, as scientists, we can improve the ways we share our bat knowledge with local communities in ways that benefit both bats and people.

• Daniel Hargreaves, the Bat Programme Manager at Vincent Wildlife Trust, whose conservation efforts are making a tangible difference for bat populations across the UK. He shared with us his journey in becoming an enthusiastic expert in bats and showed us spectacular bat photos from all over the world, including videos of a bat fishing!!

  
  

The day’s schedule was packed with presentations from PhD students and researchers representing institutions like Rothamsted Research, the Bat Conservation Trust, the Wildlife and Wetland Trust, and universities spanning from Bath to Lisbon. Topics ranged from cutting-edge technology and bioinformatics, such as tracking and eDNA techniques, to bat physiology and behaviour. It was a deep dive into how bats navigate the challenges of our rapidly changing world and how we, as researchers and conservationists, can support them.

The BATMAN Project Takes the Spotlight

We were especially proud of Lucy Morison, our very PhD student working on the BATMAN project, who delivered a fantastic 10-minute presentation. Lucy provided a behind-the-scenes look at her research, covering everything from fieldwork and sample collection to the rigorous validation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Lucy’s research will allow us to quantify cortisol from bat faeces without the need to catch and disturb the bats! Her hard work and dedication paid off when she won 1st prize for the best oral presentation!

Adding to the excitement, Dr. Camilla Soravia, a postdoctoral researcher on the BATMAN project, presented a detailed scientific poster outlining the key aspects of our research. Camilla expertly fielded questions from curious attendees, further cementing the BATMAN project as a vital contribution to bat science.

Bats, Beers, and Brainteasers

The day ended on a high note with a lively social event at a local Brighton pub. The evening featured a bat-themed quiz that tested everyone’s knowledge of these fascinating creatures, sparking plenty of laughter and friendly competition. It was the perfect opportunity to relax, mingle, and share ideas with fellow bat enthusiasts. And there was even a question about our own research!!

Final Thoughts

From the thrilling SonoBat workshop to the inspiring talks at the symposium, this trip was a true celebration of bat science and conservation. The energy, passion, and innovation we witnessed were contagious, and the connections we made will undoubtedly shape future collaborations. Thank you again to the organising team at the University of Sussex for making this event memorable!

Here’s to Lucy, Camilla, and everyone working tirelessly to understand and protect bats. And here’s to a future filled with even more discoveries, adventures, and bat-tastic events! 🦇✨

Until next time, happy bat-watching!

PS. We did not forget to have some fun after the conference 😉

A Bat-tastic Day at Duddon St Peter’s Primary School!

On Wednesday, we - Prof Tessa Smith, PhD student Lucy Morison, and Dr Camilla Soravia - ventured out of our lab to visit Duddon St Peter’s Primary School, hoping to bring our passion for bats to the children at school. We were greeted with a lot of enthusiasm and countless raised hands, which made it an amazing morning for all of us!

Why Bats Are Nature’s Heroes

We gave four talks to children aged 5 to 11, highlighting why bats are vital to ecosystems and the planet and introducing their unique traits.

The children learned that bats:

• 🦟 Control insect populations, acting as natural pest controllers.

• 🌸 Pollinate flowers, supporting biodiversity.

• 🌱 Disperse seeds, helping plants grow in new areas.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Are amazing parents, caring for their young.

• 💞 Are social creatures with lots of friends.

  
  

Exploring Echolocation and Conservation

For the older children (aged 7 - 11), the team delved deeper into bats' incredible ability to navigate in darkness using echolocation. The children also discussed threats that bats face, including increased light and noise pollution, and habitat loss, learning simple ways to help protect these remarkable animals.

Hands-On Creativity

To round out the day, the children channelled their enthusiasm into creative activities:

• ✂️ Making their own origami bats.

• 🎨 Following a step-by-step guide to draw a bat.

These activities sparked discussions about the anatomy of bats and gave us all a chance to put our craft skills to the test!

Inspiring Future Scientists

It was a privilege for our team to visit Duddon St Peter’s Primary School and inspire the next generation of scientists and conservationists. Changing perceptions about bats and fostering a sense of curiosity and care for wildlife is crucial to their protection.

A big thank you to Duddon St Peter’s Primary School for welcoming us and to the children for their enthusiasm and curiosity. We are also grateful to our supporters, including the Leverhulme Trust and the School of Natural Sciences, for making this outreach event possible.

What’s Next?

We hope this visit will cultivate a lifelong interest in wildlife conservation among the children. After all, the future of our planet rests in the hands of these young minds.

Want to learn more about bats or how you can get involved in conservation? Follow us for updates on our next outreach events! 🦇