![William Kay BSc (Hons), MSc (Res), PhD, FHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1088?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr William Kay
(he/him)
BSc (Hons), MSc (Res), PhD, FHEA
Lecturer in Statistics (Teaching & Scholarship)
School of Biosciences
- Welsh speaking
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am a SARA Lifeboat Helm on call 24/7 so may sometimes be unavailable without notice.
Summary
I am a Lecturer in Statistics (Teaching & Scholarship) in the School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, with a background in marine ecology. I am passionate about statistical education and my main area of scholarship is in "Statistics Anxiety". My biological research interests lie in quantifying the individual- and population-level drivers of animal movements, and predicting the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental change on animals.
Research
Pedagogic: My main scholarship and educational research activities are focused around the concept of statistics anxiety and how students can mitigate and overcome this. More broadly, I am interested in what makes for an effective learning environment for learning statistics, including understanding the effectiveness of statistics support at drop-in clinics. I am also interested in how to build a sense of community among students and staff. My current research avenues involve (i) assessing the landscape of statistics tuition in UK HE institutions, (ii) incorporating novel teaching strategies into statistics lectures, (iii) designing new statistics learning aids (e.g., “Statistics Shorts”), (iv) developing methods to increase retention of statistical knowledge, (v) devising novel ways to embed statistics tuition into biology practicals and assessments, and (vi) self-regulated learning. I was extremely pleased to win the 2023 UK and Ireland Mathematics and Statistics Support Networks Award for Excellence at this year’s CETL-MSOR Conference.
Biological: My primary ecological research interests lie in quantifying the drivers of individual- and population-level animal movement, behaviour, and energetics in order to predict the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental change on animals, and developing new tools and methods to study this. For example, I am interested in how we can best utilise biologging equipment to maximise its potential and efficiency whilst minimizing its impact. I am an applied researcher and through my research seek to derive recommendations for policy and conservation management.
Teaching
Teaching is both my greatest passion and my forte. I find teaching to be the most rewarding thing that I do and something that comes naturally to me. I particularly enjoy the challenge of teaching data analysis and statistics; subjects that many students find intimidating. I also teach aspects of ecology and marine biology. I am a Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA).
Other
Outside of academic life I am a Commercial RYA Skipper with 7 years' experience as a lifeboat crewman (RNLI & SARA) and a Commercial HSE SCUBA Diver. I also teach these skills as both an RYA Powerboating Instructor and BSAC Advanced Instructor. I am interested in politics and policymaking, and my hobbies include cycling and watersports. I live a vegan lifestyle for the sake of all animals and the environment. Rwy'n dysgu siarad Cymraeg.
Roles
- Lecturer in Statistics (Teaching and Scholarship)
- Degree Scheme Coordinator for Biological Sciences (BSc) and Biological Sciences (MBiol)
- Deputy for MSc in Global Ecology and Conservation
- Assessment Lead for BI1002 Structure and Function of Living Organisms
- Lead of the SWBio DTP Statistics Week
- Mentor and Assessor of the Cardiff University Education Fellowship Programme
- Communications and Online Resources Representative for the British Ecological Society (BES) Movement Ecology Special Interest Group (SIG)
- Co-Director of the Cardiff University Biostatistics Network
- Committee Member of the BES Wales Policy Group
- Early Career Member of the BES Education, Training and Careers Committee
- Staff-Student Liason for the Plant-Based Universities - Cardiff campaign.
United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
My contributions to teaching, research and scholarship aim to support UN SDGs 2-4, 11-15, and 17.
ORCiD ID: 0000-0001-6855-7153
Publication
2024
- Kay, W. P., Sutherland, C. and Marques, T. A. 2024. Training statistics-savvy ecologists. A call to action for improved statistical education in ecology. The Wildlife Professional 18(6), pp. 55-59.
- Evans, C., Kay, W., Amici-Dargan, S., González, R. D. M., Donert, K. and Rutherford, S. 2024. Developing a scale to explore self-regulatory approaches to assessment and feedback with academics in higher education. Frontiers in Psychology 15, article number: 1357939. (10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357939)
2020
- Williams, H. J. et al. 2020. Optimizing the use of biologgers for movement ecology research. Journal of Animal Ecology 89(1), pp. 186-206. (10.1111/1365-2656.13094)
2019
- Kay, W. P. et al. 2019. Minimizing the impact of biologging devices: Using computational fluid dynamics for optimizing tag design and positioning. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 10(8), pp. 1222-1233. (10.1111/2041-210X.13216)
2015
- Wilson, R. P., Liebsch, N., Gomez-Laich, A., Kay, W., Bone, A., Hobson, V. J. and Siebert, U. 2015. Options for modulating intra-specific competition in colonial pinnipeds: the case of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Wadden Sea. PeerJ 3, article number: e957. (10.7717/peerj.957)
Erthyglau
- Kay, W. P., Sutherland, C. and Marques, T. A. 2024. Training statistics-savvy ecologists. A call to action for improved statistical education in ecology. The Wildlife Professional 18(6), pp. 55-59.
- Evans, C., Kay, W., Amici-Dargan, S., González, R. D. M., Donert, K. and Rutherford, S. 2024. Developing a scale to explore self-regulatory approaches to assessment and feedback with academics in higher education. Frontiers in Psychology 15, article number: 1357939. (10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357939)
- Williams, H. J. et al. 2020. Optimizing the use of biologgers for movement ecology research. Journal of Animal Ecology 89(1), pp. 186-206. (10.1111/1365-2656.13094)
- Kay, W. P. et al. 2019. Minimizing the impact of biologging devices: Using computational fluid dynamics for optimizing tag design and positioning. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 10(8), pp. 1222-1233. (10.1111/2041-210X.13216)
- Wilson, R. P., Liebsch, N., Gomez-Laich, A., Kay, W., Bone, A., Hobson, V. J. and Siebert, U. 2015. Options for modulating intra-specific competition in colonial pinnipeds: the case of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Wadden Sea. PeerJ 3, article number: e957. (10.7717/peerj.957)
Research
Pedagogic and Educational Research
My pedagogic and educational research interests include understanding the efficacy of teaching techniques and the drivers of positive student motivation, confidence, attainment, satisfaction, and retention. I am also interested in the development of learning communities and what makes a good learning environment for learning statistics and data analysis. I am currently involved in projects that seek to assess the landscape of statistics teaching in Higher Education, how practitioners facilitate the development of self-regulated learning strategies in their students, how to improve statistics lectures for the purpose of increase student satisfaction, and developing new statistics learning materials to increase engagement.
Biological Research
My ecological research interests lie in quantifying the drivers of individual- and population-level animal movement, behaviour, and energetics in order to predict the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental change on animals and thus to derive recommendations for policy and conservation management. I have focused in particular on the study of marine megafauna but I am keen to apply my research across all taxa. My most recent work (towards my PhD thesis) has examined the movements and behaviour of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in tidal stream environments, and their potential interactions with marine renewable energy developments. In previous work I have investigated the foraging ecology of magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) and imperial cormorants (Leucocarbo atriceps), and the diving behaviour of harbour seals. In addition to tagging seals and seabirds, I have experience deploying biologging devices on terrestrial vertebrates, including the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and the Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra).
I am also interested in developing new tools and methods for movement ecology – for example, my research has investigated how biologging equipment can be useful most effectively and appropriately to collect data on wild animals whilst minimizing its impact. I have also applied advanced analytical models in novel ways to analyse data collected from these devices, as well as to maximise the utility of historical datasets.
Collaboration:
I enjoy working collaboratively and across disciplines and am involved in several interdisciplinary projects involving computer scientists, mathematicians, physicists, and engineers. I am always keen to build collaborations – please get in touch if you would like to work together or find out more about my research.
E-mail: kayw@cardiff.ac.uk
ORCiD ID: 0000-0001-6855-7153
Teaching
I am a Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA).
My teaching and tutoring interests comprise several broad categories:
Statistics
Experimental design, data analysis and visualisation, and statistics; from descriptive statistics through basic hypothesis testing and on to advanced modelling techniques such as generalised linear modelling, mixed effects models, generalised additive models, and hidden Markov models (HMMs).
Ecology
Teaching and providing supervision and tutoring in movement ecology; including the design and deployment of animal tracking devices, the techniques used to analyse the data obtained and the ecological inferences that can be drawn. I also teach the movement patterns that wild animals exhibit, and the models used to understand such movements. Lastly, I teach marine taxonomic ID skills and intertidal rocky shore ecology.
Marine Field Skills
SCUBA diving and powerboating, chartwork and navigation, intertidal sampling, marine taxonomic ID skills, marine mammal and seabird survey techniques.
Employability Skills
CVs, cover letters, job applications, interview techniques, scientific presentations and posters, social media and networking, and website design.
Modules
Postgraduate:
- Data Handling and Statistics (BIT010)
- Assessing Biodiversity and Ecosystems (BIT052)
- Field Skills for Ecology and Conservation (BIT050)
- Data Science (BIT053)
- Research Project (BIT054)
- Field Research and Placement (BIT055)
- SWBiosciences Doctoral Training Partnership
- Maths Support Service (MS0100)
Undergraduate:
- Skills for Science (BI1001)
- Structure and Function of Living Organisms (BI1002)
- Organisms and Environment (BI1003)
- The Dynamic Cell (BI1004)
- Biological Chemistry (BI1014)
- Genetics and Evolution (BI1051)
- Biosciences Year 1 Core (BI1XXX)
- Ecology Part A (BI2135)
- Ecology Part B (BI2136)
- Brain and Behaviour (BI2431)
- Biosciences Year 2 Core (BI2XXX)
- Bioscience Final Year Project (BI3001)
Note that module codes listed above are subject to change
Biography
Education
- 2016–2020: PhD in Movement Ecology (Swansea University)
- 2013–2015: MSc (Res) Animal Movement Science (Swansea University)
- 2010–2013: BSc (Hons) Marine Biology (Swansea University)
Professional Experience
- May 2023–Present: Lecturer in Statistics (Cardiff University)
- Jul 2021–May 2023: Tutor in Data Analysis and Statistics (Cardiff University)
- Jul 2020–Jul 2021: Research Technician, Seagrass Ocean Rescue (Swansea University)
- Dec 2019–Jul 2020: Grant Development Officer, Seagrass Ocean Rescue (Swansea University)
- Jun 2019–Dec 2019: Research Assistant, SEACAMS2 (Swansea University)
- Jan 2019–Jun 2019: Lecturer in Marine Ecology (Swansea University)
- Oct 2017–Jul 2018: Tutorial Assistant (Swansea University)
- Apr 2017–Oct 2017: Science Policy Intern (The Royal Society)
- Oct 2015–Jul 2016: Teaching Assistant (Swansea University)
- Sep 2013–Jan 2021: Student Demonstrator (Swansea University)
Honours and awards
- May 2024 - Research Culture Fund (£2569)
To establish a Biostatistics Network at Cardiff University. Co-PI together with Dr Sarah Christofides. - Mar 2024 - Early Career Member Bursary to attend Educational Research in the Biosciences 2024 (£100)
- Mar 2024 - Enwebu ar gyfer am Gwobrau Cyfoethogi Bywyd y Myfyrwyr 2024: Hyrwyddwr Addysg Gymraeg | Nominated for Enriching Student Life Award (ESLA) 2024: Champion of Welsh Education
- Mar 2024 - Nominated for Enriching Student Life Award (ESLA): Most Outstanding Learning Experience
- Mar 2024 - Nominated for Enriching Student Life Award (ESLA): Personal Tutor of the Year
- Feb 2024 - Cardiff University On-Campus Internship Placement Grant (£2,392)
Co-PI with Dr Thomas Malcomson; Project: Development of Bespoke Maths and Chemistry Support Resources for Biosciences - Oct 2023 - Pobl Trust Grant (£1,000)
"Empowering Heroes: A Safe Space for Lifeboat Crews" on behalf of the SARA Newport Lifeboat Station - Sept 2023 - Outstanding Contribution Award (Cardiff University) (£750)
- Sept 2023 - The UK and Ireland Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Statistics Support Network 2023
- July 2023 - Celebrating Excellence Award: Rising Star - Early Career Academic - Finalist
- May 2023 - FHEA - Fellow of Advance HE (Higher Education Academy)
- May 2023 - Nominated for the ALDinHE Annual Award 2023
For great practice and dedication in the learning development community - May 2023 - Erasmus Mobility Grant (€500)
To attend FIELD Workshop (CERES International Project) on non-invasive tracking, Portugal. - Mar 2023 - Nominated for Enriching Student Life Award (ESLA): Most Uplifting Staff Member
- Mar 2023 - Nominated for Enriching Student Life Award (ESLA): Most Engaging Staff Member
- Feb 2023 - Erasmus Mobility Grant (€500)
To attend FIELD Workshop (CERES International Project) on Into the Wet, Portugal - Mar 2022 - Erasmus Mobility Grant (€500)
To attend FIELD Workshop (CERES International Project) on Field Guides, Portugal - July 2021 - Society of Marine Mammalogy Student Travel Grant ($700)
To attend and present research at the Society for Marine Mammalogy's 2021 Biennial Conference, Palm Beach, Florida - Mar 2021 - The Worshipful Livery Company of Wales (WLCoW) Travel Scholarship (£340)
To present research at the 7th International Bio-logging Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii - Sept 2020 - Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
- Feb 2020 - Nominated for the British Ecological Society (BES) Robert May Prize
Awarded to the best paper submitted by an early career author at the start of their research career - Feb 2020 - SPIN: Swansea Paid Internship Network (£1,343)
To undertake research on marine mammals in collaboration with Natural Resources Wales - Jan 2020 - UKIRSC Student Travel Grant (£200)
To present PhD research at the UKIRSC 14th Annual Conference in Galway, Ireland - Nov 2019 - Erasmus Mobility Funding Grant (€500)
To attend FIELD Workshop (CERES International Project) on dealing with mental and physical health challenges, Portugal - Oct 2019 - Nominated for Research and Innovation Rising Star - Postgraduate
This award aims to celebrate a postgraduate researcher who can demonstrate they are a research leader of the future - Aug 2019 - Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) Student Travel Grant (€55)
To attend and present PhD research at the World Marine Mammal Conference (WMMC), Barcelona, Spain - Jan 2019 - Best Poster Prize (UKIRSC XIII 13th Annual Conference)
For PhD research poster presentation - Jan 2019 - Conference Grant to host UKIRSC XIII 13th Annual Conference at Swansea University (£1,000)
Funding from multiple sponsors: Swansea University, BES, SMRU, CSIP, PR Statistics, and SMRU Instrumentation - Jan 2019 - Erasmus Mobility Funding Grant (€650)
To attend FIELD Workshop (CERES International Project), Portugal. - Nov 2018 - Best Oral Presentation Prize – Wales Ecology and Evolution Network Annual Conference (WEEN 2018) (£50)
For PhD research presentation at WEEN 2018. - Sept 2018 - KESS II Training and Travel Grant (£350)
To attend BES Movement Ecology SIG Workshops - July 2018 - Best Poster Prize – BES Movement Ecology SIG Annual Meeting 2018 (£50)
For PhD research presented at the BES Movement Ecology SIG Annual Meeting 2018, Swansea University, UK - May 2018 - Third Place Poster Prize – Swansea University PGR Poster Competition
For PhD research presented at the Swansea University PGR Poster Competition 2018 - Apr 2018 - Best Short Oral Presentation – European Cetacean Society (ECS) 32nd Annual Conference (€150)
For PhD research presented at the European Cetacean Society (ECS) 32nd Annual Conference, La Spezia, Italy - Feb 2018 - European Cetacean Society (ECS) Travel Grant (€150)
To present PhD research at the 32nd Annual Conference in La Spezia, Italy - Jan 2018 - UKIRSC XII Travel Grant (£80)
To present PhD research at the UKIRSC 12th Annual Conference in St Andrews, UK - Nov 2017 - Ede and Ravenscroft Anniversary Student Prize 2016/17 for Outstanding Contribution (£250)
Awarded in recognition of a significant contribution to student life outside of normal academic studies - May 2017 - Third Place Prize – Swansea University Research Institute of Ethics and Law (RIEL) (£200)
For an independent research presentation at the Swansea University Research Institute of Ethics and Law (RIEL) - Apr 2017 - Poster Prize Finalist – Swansea University PGR Poster Competition 2017
For PhD research presented at the Swansea University PGR Poster Competition 2017 - Apr 2017 - Honorary Lifetime Membership - Swansea University Students’ Union
The highest level of recognition of Swansea University Students’ Union - Mar 2017 - Royal Society of Biology Travel Grant (£500)
For the opportunity of overseas travel in connection with biological study, teaching or research - Feb 2017 - KESS II Equipment Grant (£1,200)
To purchase high performance computing equipment - Jan 2017 - UKIRSC XI Student Travel Grant (£100)
To present PhD research at the UKIRSC 11th Annual Conference in Plymouth, UK - Nov 2016 - BES Policy Workshop Travel Bursary (£60)
To attend the BES Policy Workshop in Glasgow, Scotland - Oct 2016 - KESS II Training and Travel Grant (£900)
To attend a training course on the Spatial Analysis of Ecological Data (SPAE) - May 2016 - Best Poster Prize - KESS II Transnational Graduate Training School
For PhD research presented as part of the KESS II Transnational Graduate School Research Poster Competition - May 2016 - Best Poster Prize – Swansea University PGR Poster Competition (£150)
For PhD research presented at the Swansea University Postgraduate Research Poster Competition 2016 - May 2016 - ESF Travel Scholarship (£1,000)
To attend the KESS European Industrial Doctoral School (EIDS) - May 2016 - Invitation to the KESS II Transnational Graduate Training School
European Industrial Doctoral School (EIDS) - Mar 2016 - KESS II Training and Travel Grant (£400)
To attend a training course towards an Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Home Office License - Mar 2016 - KESS II Equipment Grant (£1,600)
To purchase specialist VHF tracking equipment for my PhD research - Jan 2016 - UKIRSC X Student Travel Grant (£100)
To attend the UKIRSC 10th Annual Conference in St Andrews, UK - Nov 2015 - KESS II PhD Scholarship (£45,800)
European Social Fund (ESF) funding to undertake PhD research at Swansea University (£3,800 equipment; £14,000 annual stipend for 3 years) - Oct 2014 - Swansea University Postgraduate Scholarship Award (£2,900)
Swansea University Scholarship to pursue an an MSc by Research in Animal Movement Science - Sept 2013 - City and Guilds Professional Development Award (in Wildlife and Conservation)
- July 2013 - Graham Ralston Memorial Prize in Marine Biology (£250)
- June 2012 - Swansea University Employability Academy Award (£2,000)
Awarded in recognition of diligence and enthusiasm in scientific study - June 2011 - School of the Environment and Society Scholarship Award (£1,000)
For exceptional examination grades and enthusiasm during undergraduate degree (BSc in Marine Biology) - June 2010 - University Scholarship Award (Bangor University) (£9,000)
Excellence scholarship to study BSc (Hons) Marine Biology at Bangor University (£3,000 per year) - Declined
Professional memberships
- FHEA: Fellow of AdvanceHE (the Higher Education Academy)
- Member of the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales (WLCoW)
- Member of the British Ecological Society (BES)
- Member of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB)
- Member of the International Bio-logging Society (IBiolS)
- Member of the European Cetacean Society (ECS)
- Member of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM)
- Member of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC)
- Member of British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)
- Accredited Member of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
- Affiliate of Swansea University
- Honorary Lifetime Member of Swansea University Students' Union (SUSU)
Academic positions
- Degree Scheme Coordinator: Biological Sciences
- Deputy Lead: MSc Ecology and Conservation
- Assessment Lead: BI1002 Structure and Function of Living Organisms
Speaking engagements
Invited Talks
- Mar 2024 - Kay, W. P. (2024) Application of R for Parametric Statistics, University of Bristol, UK, 18th March
- Dec 2023 - Kay, W. P. (2023) Promoting participation with statistics: Innovations for teaching bioscience students, University of Bath, UK, 13th December
- Jan 2022 - Kay, W. P. (2022) Seal movements in tidal stream environments: New methods and ecological insights for the marine renewable energy industry, Organisms and Environment Seminar Series, Cardiff University, Wales, UK, 13th January
Conference Presentations
- Sept 2023 - Kay, W. P. (2023) Promoting participation with statistics using R and Statistics “Shorts”, Cardiff University, 7th September 2023
- Sept 2023 - Kay, W. P. (2023) Embedding statistics in biology practicals and assessments. Bioscience Education Summit 2023, University of Liverpool, 6th September 2023
- Sept 2023 - Rutherford, S., and Kay, W. P. (2023) Self-regulated learning within assessment: An international study of staff perceptions in HE. Bioscience Education Summit 2023, University of Liverpool, 5th September 2023
- Mar 2023 - Kay, W. P. (2023) Statistics anxiety: My journey from loathing to loving statistics and how it shaped my teaching practice. Mathematics and Statistics Anxiety Workshop, SIGMA Network, Coventry University, 30th March 2023
Committees and reviewing
Journal Reviewer:
- PLOS One
- Frontiers in Psychology
Committee Membership:
- Early Career Member of the BES Education and Careers Committee
- Communications and Online Resources Representative for the BES Movement Ecology Special Interest Group
- Early Career Member of the BES Wales Policy Group
- Member of the Oxford University Press Bioscience Student Panel
- Ecological Ambassador of the British Ecological Society
- Member Representative of the British Ecological Society
Supervisions
Areas of Supervision
I am interested in supervising students in the areas of:
- Animal movement
- Animal behaviour
- Dispersal ecology
- Pinniped ecology
- Intertidal ecology
- Statistics anxiety
- Statistics support
Past projects
- Supervisor for Zara Calvert, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project.
- Supervisor for Eleanor Gillion-Webb, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project.
- Supervisor for Joel Hardiman, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project.
- Supervisor for Freya Cox, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project: The hydrodynamic drag impact of biotelemtry devices attached to penguins: a rapid review.
- Supervisor for Macey Jones, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project: The impact of animal attached devices for vultures: a rapid review.
- Supervisor for Panagiota Pernari, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project: How has the methodology and practice of tagging whales changed over time, and what are the impacts of this for animal welfare?
- Supervisor for Zoe Wright, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project: Regional differences in the drivers of harbour seal pup dispersal.
- Supervisor for Lauren Dunne, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University. BSc Project: Dispersal behaviour of recently weaned grey seal pups in the Northeast Atlantic population: a rapid review. Won "best final year project".
- Co-supervisor for Neeru, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University. MSc Project: Investigating the effect of statistics support clinics format on attendance rates - the impact of hybrid learning. 2022
- Co-supervisor for Guoyi Jia, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University. MSc Project: Investigating group dynamics in the attendance of statistics support clinics. 2022
- Co-supervisor for Roushan Kumar, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University. MSc Project: Are statistics support services attended equally among students? 2022
Engagement
Media and Press
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Contact Details
+44 29208 75384
Sir Martin Evans Building, Floor 1, Room C/1.07, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
Research themes
Specialisms
- Statistics
- Ecology
- Movement Ecology
- Statistics Anxiety
- Marine Ecology