Evan MacLean, an assistant professor of anthropology and the director of the Arizona Canine Cognition Center, has recently gained attention for his research on dog behavior, notably featured in the first episode of the second season of "The World According to Jeff Goldblum" on Disney+. In the episode, Goldblum explores various topics, including dogs, and MacLean provides insight into his research and its implications for interactions with dogs.
Read More
MacLean's interest in dog behavior started from a broader focus on animal cognition, initially studying chimpanzees and bonobos. His research reveals that dogs share certain communication skills with human children, particularly in understanding nonverbal cues. This led him to study dogs, which he describes as a charismatic species that offers rich scientific opportunities due to their presence in everyday life and their biological diversity across breeds.
Despite co-workers often expressing envy over his four-legged research subjects, MacLean notes that much of his time is spent away from direct interaction with dogs, as he focuses primarily on data analysis and writing.
Initially, MacLean thought his involvement with the show was primarily to provide insights for an episode about dogs. However, he quickly realized it would entail filming when producers expressed interest in having him on screen. MacLean recalled that the filming day was more spontaneous than anticipated, meeting Goldblum for the first time in a room full of puppies, with the encounter being largely unscripted.
Working with Goldblum proved to be an enjoyable experience. MacLean described the actor as genuine and humorous, engaging in discussions that kept him on his toes.
MacLean has two pet dogs, Sisu and Napoleon. He noted that while his personal interactions with them haven’t led directly to major breakthroughs in his research, they provide continuous opportunities for observation, which is essential in animal behavior studies.
At the Arizona Canine Cognition Center, MacLean and his team are currently focused on studying individual differences among dogs. They aim to understand the biological and psychological factors that make each dog unique, employing cohort studies that observe dogs from birth into adulthood. Additionally, growing interest exists in how aging affects dogs, particularly in relation to dementia, with research indicating parallels between canine and human brain aging. The center is part of larger initiatives aimed at developing interventions to benefit both dogs and their human companions.