2013-2018 Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of Manchester

2009-2012 Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow, University of Oxford

2004-2009 Lecturer, University of Liverpool

2003-2004 Research Biologist, RSPB

2003 Ph.D. Biology, University of Liverpool

2000 M.A. Ecology and Evolution SUNY Stony Brook

1996 B.Sc. Anthropology, University of California, Davis 

New ideas, hypotheses, tools or knowledge  

My current research has shifted to focus on uncovering how populations respond to environmental gradients, anthropogenic threats and environmental change. This vision is consolidated in a series of recent papers.

First, we demonstrate that ‘species stereotypes’ (Britnell et al. 2021 Biol Cons), or biased characterisations of species basic biology, misestimate species’ fundamental niche space, ecological requirements and phenotypic plasticity. These shifted baselines can hamper conservation efforts.

Second, we argue that the “Protected Area Paradox”, where increasing PA coverage has not effectively alleviated species declines, may result from managing species in suboptimal habitats at their niche margins (Kerley et al 2020 Cons Sci).

Third, we show that niche contraction and ecological marginalisation is a common consequence of range loss in mammals globally and increases extinction risk. Moreover, geographic and niche core are not interchangeable such that evaluating spatial patterns of range loss does not inform niche loss. Large mammals with small range sizes are particularly vulnerable to a double whammy of threats from range loss and marginalisation (Britnell et al 2023, PNAS). Marginalisation coupled with protected areas disproportionately sited in ecological margins contribute to poor conservation outcomes and the continued erosion of biodiversity (Britnell et al 2024 Ecol Letts; Zhu et al 2024 Div Dist Int).  

Fourth, we developed the ‘Functional Marginality’ framework to identify the mechanistic causes of declines. We have validated a range of biomarkers for changes in allostatic load, immune state, reproductive health, and behaviour across populations. We argue this framework has untapped potential to predict species vulnerability by linking their functional states to niche space, environmental challenges and interventions (Shultz, et al, 2022 Ecol Evol). Within species, we demonstrate spatial associations between physiological resilience and core niche space (Britnell et al 2024 Funct Ecol; Zhu et al in prep). To evaluate the large scale patterns, we have developed a novel ‘macroecology tool kit’ of physiology (Lea et al 2018 Func Ecol; Granweiler et al 2024 Horm & Behav; Britnell et al 2024 Func Ecol; Harvey et al in prep; Britnell et al in prep), immunology (Mair et al 2024 PLOS Pathogens) and behavioural biomarkers of stability, flexibility and resilience (Stanley and Shultz, 2012 Anim Behav).

A complementary research theme has been documenting the impacts of environmental contaminants on population resilience (e.g. Diclofenac as the cause of the catastrophic vulture declines: Shultz et al 2004 Biol Letts; Green et al 2004 J Appl Ecol).  

My early research focused on using comparative methods to understand behavioural, cultural and cognitive evolution (Shultz et al, 2011 Nature; Opie et al 2013 PNAS; Opie et al 2014 PNAS; Fox et al 2018 Nat Ecol Evol; Kappeler et al 2020; Shultz et al 2022 Phil Trans B). We demonstrated that sociality is universally associated with large brains in mammals, with the strongest relationship in primates (Dunbar & Shultz 2007 Science; Shultz & Dunbar 2010 J Comp Psych), and birds (Shultz & Dunbar 2010 Biol J Linn Soc). I quantitatively test patterns of macroevolutionary encephalisation in mammals (Shultz & Dunbar 2010 PNAS). We used a similar approach relate hominin speciation and brain evolution to paleoclimate variation (Shultz et al, 2012; Shultz & Maslin 2013; Maslin et al 2014; Maslin, Shultz & Trauth 2015). We continue to work in these research areas.