Achievement

IRSP organized a workshop on the Evolutionary Foundations and Functions of Close Social Bonds in humans and other animals (April 16-18, 2009). New data are emerging showing that close social bonds enhance the welfare and reproductive performance of many types of mammals. These empirical findings clearly overlap with work from social scientists which documents the effects of social relationships & social networks on human health and welfare. The workshop brought together researchers working in behavioral ecology and the human sciences to discuss new research findings and the implications of these findings. Participants in the workshop included 7 eminent invited speakers, IRSP faculty and trainees, plus faculty and students from the campus at large. This successful workshop provided cutting-edge examples of interdisciplinary work and offered trainees an opportunity to interact with colleagues from other universities.