Nicola Clayton
Comparative psychologist based at the University of Cambridge. Her work has transformed our understanding of memory in non-human animals, especially birds in the crow family.
Best podcasts with Nicola Clayton
Ranked by the Snipd community
Jul 4, 2025 • 29min
Clever Crows
Nicola Clayton, a Professor of Comparative Cognition at the University of Cambridge, joins to debunk the notion that crows are 'bird brains.' She shares fascinating insights into the emotional complexity and problem-solving skills of these avian intellects, which rival that of an 8-year-old child. Listeners hear about the playful interactions of a raven named Bran, and the surprising similarities between crow and human intelligence despite their brain differences. The episode also highlights the dynamics of crow society, revealing their remarkable capacity for empathy and communication.
May 20, 2024 • 60min
Living in the past: exploring memory in humans, animals, and artificial agents
Join Nicola Clayton, a comparative psychologist renowned for her insights into avian memory, alongside cognitive scientist Felipe De Brigard, AI researcher Zafeirios Fountas, and philosopher Johannes Mahr. They dive into the fascinating nuances of memory across species. Discover how human memory intersects with imagination, the memory capabilities of birds, and the potential for AI to mimic these processes. They also tackle the challenges of remembering versus forgetting and the ethics surrounding memory in animals and machines.
