Caitlyn Forster

Caitlyn Forster is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at The University of Sydney. She completed an MPhil at the University of Sydney in 2018, examining the impacts of structural complexity on ant behaviour. Her PhD, completed in 2023, focused on using behavioural economics to understand pollinator behaviour, with studies involving stingless bees, bumblebees, and honeybees. Forster is currently the unit coordinator of the Biology of Insects and has an interest in Insect Behaviour. Her current research focuses on three major themes: pollinator behaviour, inequalities in citizen science, and taxonomic bias in education and conservation.

Caitlyn Y Forster is an Associate Lecturer at The University of Sydney, specializing in entomology and behavioural ecology. Her research explores insect foraging behaviour, focusing on how factors like empty flowers and floral patch dynamics influence pollinator decisions. She investigates the ecological and evolutionary implications of these interactions, using species such as honey bees, bumble bees, and stingless bees as model organisms. Forster also examines the role of conservation messaging and educational tools in promoting biodiversity awareness, particularly through classroom-based initiatives and citizen science projects. Her work bridges ecological theory with applied conservation strategies.