What’s my reproduction number?

Reproduction is essential to the survival of the species, and we can observe different life history strategies for growth, reproduction and survival across the tree of life. These strategies are often interconnected, with positive, neutral or negative effects on other organisms and populations. This can be observed at the macroscale – for example, in food chains – or at the microscale, as in the case of infectious pathogens exploiting the resources of their hosts.

The afternoon will feature interdisciplinary conversation and flash talks from academics across the university, followed by a networking reception.

In this forum, we will open the discussion with the question: what is my reproductive number?

• We will examine how mathematicians and biologists use reproductive numbers to model population dynamics and identify the constraints that limit population growth.
• We will explore biological trade-offs in energy allocation among growth, maintenance, and reproduction, and consider examples in which humans have intentionally altered populations through biological control.
• We will explore what “success” means for different organisms from an evolutionary perspective.
• We will discuss why some forms of life evolved complex multicellular structures, and how social organisation can enhance the reproductive success and survival of certain animal species.

The event will bring these ideas together through an interdisciplinary dialogue led by Cambridge-based researchers, with the audience actively involved in the conversation.

Please note: This event is in person only.

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Host or Publisher Cambridge Reproduction SRI