Research areas
Research Overview
Grant is a researcher at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). His current research interests are motivated by the need for evidence driven conservation of small cetaceans, with a focus on delphinid species inhabiting coastal waters. He is particularly interested in studying spatial ecology and long-term population dynamics to inform the management of coastal populations. Grant is dedicated to disseminating his research through STEM activities, events and resources.
Current projects
East-Coast Bottlenose Dolphin Project
A long-term collaborative study monitoring the population dynamics of the East Coast of Scotland bottlenose dolphin population using photo-ID methods. Having led fieldwork in the Tayside area between 2021 and 2023, Grant now overseas the project, working closely with collaborators at Aberdeen University.
PhD project: Investigating the range expansion of East Coast bottlenose dolphins into Northeast England.
Currently a part time PhD student, Grant is investiagting a continued southern range expansion of the East Coast bottlenose dolphin population, and the consequences for monitoring the total population.
Citizen Fins
This Citizen Science project aims to further our understanding of the recent range expansion of the East-coast bottlenose dolphin population along the NE coast of England.
Recent projects
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) in the Tanga-Shimoni Seascape of Tanzania and Kenya
Suupported photo-ID for surveys of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in Northern Tanzania designed to provide baseline inforamtion for in a data defficient region for this endangered species.
Earthquake Effects, Long-term Distribution & Habitat use of Hector’s Dolphin at Kaikoura, NZ.
Grant's MSc Res project aimed to quantify the long-term distribution of the endangered Hector’s dolphin off Kaikoura, New Zealand by investigating the potential effects of a coastal earthquake and identifying predictors of habitat use in an area of high bycatch.
Selected publications
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Open access
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) surveys in the Tanga-Shimoni seascape of Tanzania and Kenya: final report
Braulik, G., Ellis, G., Hashir, A., Kavishe, L., Boehme, L., Wyles, H., Attwell, S., Gridley, T., Elwen, S., Dines, S., Mwango'mbe, M. & Collins, T., 15 Aug 2025, 94 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
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Open access
Hector’s dolphin distribution at Kaikōura before and after a major earthquake
Ellis, G., Weir, J., Bräger, S. & Heinrich, S., 7 Nov 2024, In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. 748, p. 175-190Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Towards improved conservation of the east coast of Scotland bottlenose dolphin population: quantifying and understanding a major range expansion into northeast England
Ellis, G., Arso Civil, M., Cheney, B., Sinclair, R., Humphrey, O., Hammond, P. & Sparling, C., 11 Jan 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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Towards improved conservation of the east coast of Scotland bottlenose dolphin population: quantifying and understanding a major range expansion into northeast England
Ellis, G., Arso Civil, M., Cheney, B., Sinclair, R., Humphrey, O., Hammond, P. S. & Sparling, C. E., 5 Dec 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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The spatial and temporal patterns of distribution in Hector’s dolphins off Kaikōura, South Island New Zealand, over a time period spanning a catastrophic natural event
Ellis, G., Weir, J. & Heinrich, S., 1 Aug 2022.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster