Check out my first podcast appearance!

Recently, I was a guest on Molly Ruland’s new podcast “What Do We Do Next?” Listen to my interview here:

Episode: “How to make global change possible with Dr. Sam Monier”

“When it comes to climate change and biodiversity loss, it can feel overwhelming, like the problems are too big and the solutions are out of reach. But what if there were ways to cut through the noise and actually understand what we can do next?

On this episode of What Do We Do Next?, I sit down with Dr. Sam Monier, a wildlife biologist whose work spans species from birds to primates, studying how they adapt (or struggle to adapt) to a rapidly changing world. Our conversation dives into the hard truths of climate change, pollution, urbanization, and biodiversity loss, while also spotlighting the real power of individual choices, community action, and systemic change.

Dr. Monier shares what most people get wrong about climate action, why everyday habits do matter, and how voting, advocacy, and teamwork can create ripple effects far bigger than we realize. We also talk about the role empathy plays in solving global problems, the importance of supporting science and scientists, and simple, practical steps anyone can take to be part of the solution.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move from worry to action, or how your choices connect to the bigger picture, this conversation will give you clarity, hope, and direction for making a difference.” — from the official episode description

At-sea associations among marine predators

I am studying local enhancement (where seabirds use other birds or marine predators as cues to find food) in both the California Current and the sub-Antarctic. This behavior has numerous socio-cognitive implications (which I recently reviewed in Monier 2024).

I am analyzing the distribution of these predators to identify groups of species that spatially co-occur. After establishing that associations among these species can change (over time and in response to the environment), I then test how the selective benefits of such associations change.

Antarctic Voyage

Myself, alongside our documentarian Kevin Schreck, about to board the ship to South Georgia

We produced a documentary about our work in the Antarctic! The trailer for Antarctic Voyage can be viewed here: https://www.antarcticvoyagemovie.com (and is narrated by yours truly).

The data we collected in this film will be compared to surveys from the same area in the 1980s and 1990s (published in Monier et al. 2020) to examine how changes to the climate and landscape over time have impacted the behavior and distribution of sub-Antarctic birds and mammals.

Antarctic Voyage has screened in more than six US states and four countries and was recently awarded “Best Cinematography” at the Dunedin International Film Festival!

Interested in hosting a screening?
Contact me at: monier.samantha@gmail.com