Lloyd is an internationally recognized scientist, as well as an award-winning author and filmmaker. Currently the inaugural Stuart Professor of Science Communication at the University of Otago, he has authored over 155 refereed publications on topics ranging from behavioural ecology to science communication and science diplomacy. He is regarded as a world authority on penguins and academic honours bestowed upon him have included a Fulbright Fellowship, an Anzac Fellowship and a Prince and Princess of Wales Science Award. Find out more about penguins and Lloyd’s science at www.penguinworld.com
However, he is also an award-winning writer, photographer and filmmaker. His book Penguin: a season in the life of the Adelie penguin won the PEN Best First Book Award for Nonfiction. The Plight of the Penguin won the New Zealand Children's Book of the Year Award. For Looking for Darwin, he was awarded a CLL Writer's Award and Runner Up as the New Zealand Travel Book of the Year. Find out more about Lloyd’s writing at www.lloydspencerdavis.com
Lloyd made his first documentary in 1985, with the then precursor to NHNZ, as Director and Scriptwriter for Eating like a Gannet. He was Producer/Director for Under Galapagos and Director for Meet the Real Penguins, a film that has won 12 major international awards. His latest film, The Guardian of Kinabalu, for which he was co-Producer/Director, is about Kinabalu Park in Borneo. Find out more about Lloyd’s filmmaking at www.naturesvoices.com/filmmaking
Current teaching
- SCOM 403 Creative Nonfiction Writing
- SCOM 433 Creative Nonfiction Writing (Distance)
- SCOM 495 Thesis Preparation and Proposal
Research interests
- Science Diplomacy
- Frameworks for Science Communication
- The Science of Wine
- Communicating Science about National Parks
- Communicating Science in Online Videos
- Using Mobile Filmmaking to Increase Engagement with Science
- Features of Website Design that Influence the Communication of Science
- Penguins
Potential postgraduate projects
- I am interested in supervising projects that deal with any of my research interests.
Current PhD students
- Carissa Turner – Communication and messaging in national parks and protected areas to encourage behavioural change
- Yang Yu – The use of social media for conservation of Snow Leopards
Publications
Davis, L. S., Zhu, L., & Finkler, W. (2023). Citizen science: Is it good science? Sustainability, 15, 4577. doi: 10.3390/su15054577
Davis, L. S., León, B., Bourk, M. J., Zhu, L., & Finkler, W. (2022). Infotainment may increase engagement with science but it can decrease perceptions of seriousness. Sustainability, 14, 10659. doi: 10.3390/su141710659
Davis, L. S., Renner, M., Houston, D., Zhu, L., Finkler, W., & Mattern, T. (2022). The breeding biology of erect-crested penguins, Eudyptes sclateri: Hormones, behavior, obligate brood reduction and conservation. PLoS ONE, 17(10), e0275106. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275106
Finkler, W., & Davis, L. S. (2022). Filmmaking, affective communication, and the construction of tourism imaginaries: Putting the wow into sustainable whale watching. Tourism Culture & Communication, 27(2), 205-217. doi: 10.3727/109830421X16296375579651
León, B., Bourk, M., Finkler, W., Boykoff, M., & Davis, L. S. (2021). Strategies for climate change communication through social media: Objectives, approach, and interaction. Media International Australia. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1329878X211038004
Davis, L. S. (2009). Penguins of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: New Holland, 63p.
Authored Book - Research
Babirat, C., & Davis, L. S. (2008). The business of documentary filmmaking: A practical guide for emerging New Zealand filmmakers. Dunedin, New Zealand: Longacre Press, 184p.
Authored Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2007). Looking for Darwin. Dunedin, New Zealand: Longacre Press, 280p.
Authored Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2007). Smithsonian Q & A: Penguins. Harper Collins, 218p.
Authored Book - Research
Davis, L. S., & Renner, M. (2003). Penguins. London: T & A D Poyser, 201p.
Authored Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2001). The Plight of the Penguin. Dunedin: Longacre Press, 112p.
Authored Book - Research
Davis, L. S., & Patman, R. G. (Eds.). (2015). Science diplomacy: New day or false dawn? Singapore: World Scientific, 278p.
Edited Book - Research
Bourk, M., León, B., & Davis, L. S. (2018). Entertainment in science: Useful in small doses. In B. León & M. Bourk (Eds.), Communicating science and technology through online video: Researching a new media phenomenon. (pp. 90-106). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781351054584
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S., & León, B. (2018). New and old narratives: Changing narratives of science documentary in the digital environment. In B. León & M. Bourk (Eds.), Communicating science and technology through online video: Researching a new media phenomenon. (pp. 55-63). Abindgon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781351054584
Chapter in Book - Research
Patman, R. G., & Davis, L. S. (2017). The advent of science diplomacy. In A. Dinar, R. A. Matthew, C. Harron, K. Goodrich, B. Maharramli & E. Nizkorodov (Eds.), The World Scientific reference on natural resources and environmental policy in the era of global change: The social ecology of the Anthropocene: Continuity and change in global environmental politics (Vol. 2). (pp. 81-98). Singapore: World Scientific. doi: 10.1142/9789813208162_0004
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S., & Patman, R. G. (2015). New day or false dawn? In L. S. Davis & R. G. Patman (Eds.), Science diplomacy: New day or false dawn? (pp. 261-275). Singapore: World Scientific. doi: 10.1142/9789814440073_0014
Chapter in Book - Research
Turekian, V. C., Macindoe, S., Copeland, D., Davis, L. S., Patman, R. G., & Pozza, M. (2015). The emergence of science diplomacy. In L. S. Davis & R. G. Patman (Eds.), Science diplomacy: New day or false dawn? (pp. 3-24). Singapore: World Scientific. doi: 10.1142/9789814440073_0001
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2014). Outreach activities by universities as a channel for science communication. In L. Tan Wee Hin & R. Subramaniam (Eds.), Communicating science to the public: Opportunities and challenges for the Asia-Pacific region. (pp. 161-181). Dordrecht: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-9097-0_10
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2013). Erect-crested penguin (Eudyptes sclateri). In P. Garcia Borboroglu & P. D. Boersma (Eds.), Penguins: Natural history and conservation. (pp. 145-151). Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2010). Darwin's voyage on the Beagle. In D. Galloway & J. Timmins (Eds.), Aspects of Darwin: A New Zealand celebration. (pp. 36-44). Dunedin, New Zealand: Friends of the Knox College Library, Hewitson Library, Knox College.
Chapter in Book - Research
Hutching, G., & Davis, L. S. (2009). People and marine wildlife. In New Zealanders and the sea. (pp. 236-241). Auckland, New Zealand: David Bateman.
Chapter in Book - Research
Allen, R., Cree, A., Darby, J., Davis, L. S., Patrick, B. H., & Spencer, H. G. (2003). Forests and shrublands. In J. T. Darby, R. E. Fordyce, A. F. Mark, P. K. Probert & C. R. Townsend (Eds.), The natural history of Southern New Zealand. (pp. 153-190). Dunedin: University of Otago Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Brett, T., Carter, L., Carter, R. M., Darby, J., Davis, L., Dawson, S., Jillett, J., Probert, K., & Spencer, H. (2003). The open sea. In J. T. Darby, R. E. Fordyce, A. F. Mark, P. K. Probert & C. R. Townsend (Eds.), The natural history of Southern New Zealand. (pp. 313-338). Dunedin: University of Otago Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Hamel, J., Allen, R., Davis, L. S., McGovern-Wilson, R., Petchey, P., & Smith, I. W. G. (2003). The human factor. In J. T. Darby, R. E. Fordyce, A. F. Mark, P. K. Probert & C. R. Townsend (Eds.), The natural history of Southern New Zealand. (pp. 129-151). Dunedin: University of Otago Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Bustamante, J., Boersma, P. D., & Davis, L. S. (2002). Feeding chases in penguins. In J. Wright & M. L. Leonard (Eds.), The evolution of begging: competition, cooperation and communication. (pp. 303-318). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2001). Sphenisciformes. In J. H. Steele, S. A. Thorpe & K. K. Turekian (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Ocean Sciences. (pp. 2872-2880). London: Academic Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S., & Cuthbert, R. J. (2001). Reproductive ecology of seabirds. In J. H. Steele, S. A. Thorpe & K. K. Turekian (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Ocean Sciences. (pp. 2663-2669). London: Academic Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Bradshaw, C. J. A., Purvis, M. K., Raykov, R., Zhou, Q., & Davis, L. S. (2000). Predicting patterns in spatial ecology using neural networks: Modelling colonisation by New Zealand fur seals. In R. Denzer, D. Swayne, M. K. Purvis & G. Schimak (Eds.), Environmental Software Systems - Environmental Information and Decision Support. (pp. 57-65). Boston: Kluwer Academic.
Chapter in Book - Research
Harcourt, R. G., & Davis, L. S. (1997). The use of satellite telemetry to determine fur seal foraging areas. In M. Hindell & C. Kemper (Eds.), Marine Mammal Research in the Southern Hemisphere. Vol 1: Status, Ecology and Medicine. (pp. 137-142). Chipping Norton, N.S.W.: Surrey Beatty & Sons.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (1995). The control of behaviour: Free-running circadian rhythms in the Antarctic summer. In P. Dann, I. Norman & P. Reilly (Eds.), The penguins: Ecology and Management. (pp. 56-72). Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty Limited.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davis, L. S. (2018). Sphenisciformes. In J. K. Cochran, P. L. Pager & H. J. Bokuniewicz (Eds.), Encyclopedia of ocean sciences (Vol. 2). (3rd ed.) (pp. 109-118). London, UK: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.11320-X
Chapter in Book - Other
Davis, L. S., & Cuthbert, R. J. (2018). Seabird reproductive ecology. In S. Elias (Ed.), Reference module in earth systems and environmental sciences. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.11321-1
Chapter in Book - Other
Davis, L. S., Zhu, L., & Finkler, W. (2023). Citizen science: Is it good science? Sustainability, 15, 4577. doi: 10.3390/su15054577
Journal - Research Article
Davis, L. S., León, B., Bourk, M. J., Zhu, L., & Finkler, W. (2022). Infotainment may increase engagement with science but it can decrease perceptions of seriousness. Sustainability, 14, 10659. doi: 10.3390/su141710659
Journal - Research Article
Davis, L. S., Renner, M., Houston, D., Zhu, L., Finkler, W., & Mattern, T. (2022). The breeding biology of erect-crested penguins, Eudyptes sclateri: Hormones, behavior, obligate brood reduction and conservation. PLoS ONE, 17(10), e0275106. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275106
Journal - Research Article
Finkler, W., & Davis, L. S. (2022). Filmmaking, affective communication, and the construction of tourism imaginaries: Putting the wow into sustainable whale watching. Tourism Culture & Communication, 27(2), 205-217. doi: 10.3727/109830421X16296375579651
Journal - Research Article
Finkler, W., Medvecky, F., & Davis, L. S. (2021). Environmental immersion and mobile filmmaking for science education: A New Zealand pilot study. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 17(1), e2228. doi: 10.29333/ijese/9155
Journal - Research Article
León, B., Bourk, M., Finkler, W., Boykoff, M., & Davis, L. S. (2021). Strategies for climate change communication through social media: Objectives, approach, and interaction. Media International Australia. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1329878X211038004
Journal - Research Article
Martin, K. M., Davis, L. S., & Sandretto, S. (2021). Engagement with science across the middle years in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 56, 83-99. doi: 10.1007/s40841-020-00185-x
Journal - Research Article
Zhu, L., Davis, L. S., & Carr, A. (2021). A picture is not always worth a thousand words: The visual quality of photographs affects the effectiveness of interpretive signage for science communication. Public Understanding of Science, 30(3), 258-273. doi: 10.1177/0963662520982535
Journal - Research Article
Zhu, L., Davis, L. S., & Carr, A. (2021). Visualising natural attractions within national parks: Preferences of tourists for photographs with different visual characteristics. PLoS ONE, 16(6), e0252661. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252661
Journal - Research Article
Davis, L. S., León, B., Bourk, M. J., & Finkler, W. (2020). Transformation of the media landscape: Infotainment versus expository narrations for communicating science in online videos. Public Understanding of Science, 29(7), 688-701. doi: 10.1177/0963662520945136
Journal - Research Article
Martin, K. M., Davis, L. S., & Sandretto, S. (2019). Students as storytellers: Mobile-filmmaking to improve student engagement in school science. Journal of Science Communication, 18(05), A04. doi: 10.22323/2.18050204
Journal - Research Article
Massaro, M., Davidson, R. S., Freire, R., & Davis, L. S. (2019). Revisiting the influence of aggressive interactions on the survival of the first-laid egg in crested penguins (genus Eudyptes). Journal of Avian Biology, 50(8), e02133. doi: 10.1111/jav.02133
Journal - Research Article
Patman, R. G., & Davis, L. S. (2017). Science diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region: A mixed but promising experience. Politics & Policy, 45(5), 862-878. doi: 10.1111/polp.12228
Journal - Research Article
Ramírez, F., Afán, I., Davis, L. S., & Chiaradia, A. (2017). Climate impacts on global hot spots of marine biodiversity. Science Advances, 3(2), e1601198. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1601198
Journal - Research Article
Szymanski, E. A., & Davis, L. S. (2015). Wine science in the Wild West: information-seeking behaviors and attitudes among Washington state winemakers and growers. Journal of Wine Research, 26(4), 270-286. doi: 10.1080/09571264.2015.1083954
Journal - Research Article
Trathann, P. N., García-Borboroglu, P., Boersma, D., Bost, C.-A., Crawford, R. J. M., Crossin, G. T., … Davis, L. S., … Seddon, P. J., … Wienecke, B. (2015). Pollution, habitat loss, fishing, and climate change as critical threats to penguins. Conservation Biology, 29, 31-41. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12349
Journal - Research Article
Augé, A. A., Chilvers, B. L., Moore, A. B., & Davis, L. S. (2014). Importance of studying foraging site fidelity for spatial conservation measures in a mobile predator. Animal Conservation, 17(1), 61-71. doi: 10.1111/acv.12056
Journal - Research Article
Sides, A., Davis, L., & Rock, J. (2014). Our view of islands: Joining the values of science and society. Ecological Management & Restoration, 15(2), 123-127. doi: 10.1111/emr.12117
Journal - Research Article
Mattern, T., Ellenberg, U., Houston, D. M., Lamare, M., Davis, L. S., van Heezik, Y., & Seddon, P. J. (2013). Straight line foraging in yellow-eyed penguins: New insights into cascading fisheries effects and orientation capabilities of marine predators. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e84381. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084381
Journal - Research Article
Augé, A. A., Lalas, C., Davis, L. S., & Chilvers, B. L. (2012). Autumn diet of recolonising female New Zealand sea lions based at Otago Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 41(6), 97-110. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2011.606326
Journal - Research Article
Ellenberg, U., Mattern, T., Houston, D. M., Davis, L. S., & Seddon, P. J. (2012). Previous experiences with humans affect responses of Snares Penguins to experimental disturbance. Journal of Ornithology, 153(3), 621-631. doi: 10.1007/s10336-011-0780-4
Journal - Research Article
Melzer, S., Davis, L. S., & Bishop, P. J. (2012). Cutaneous gland secretions of Leiopelma pakeka as a potential mechanism against rat predation. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 39(4), 329-339. doi: 10.1080/03014223.2012.665809
Journal - Research Article
Rifkin, W., Longnecker, N., Leach, J., & Davis, L. (2012). Assigning students to publish on the web: Examples, hurdles, and needs. Journal of the NUS Teaching Academy, 2(2), 79-94.
Journal - Research Article
