Dr Stanley is an Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare within the School of Natural Sciences, where she is currently Deputy Head of School and Course Leader for the MSc in Animal Behaviour. She is a behavioural ecologist researching the social experiences of animals, with a focus on bats, both in the wild and in captivity. Her work with lesser horseshoe bats explores anthropogenic impacts on behaviour and welfare, informing mitigation strategies and conservation interventions. Dr Stanley also works to support positive perceptions of bats via citizen science and public engagement opportunities. She welcomes collaborations and PhD projects focusing on bat behaviour, conservation and welfare, social behaviour in captive and wild animals, welfare assessment in wild and zoo-housed populations and applications of behaviour to conservation or welfare. 

Dr Stanley is currently a co-opted member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Research Committee; this enables her to help support member zoos/aquariums and researchers to carry out high quality, impactful research that has both animal welfare and conservation benefits.