Education
2015 - 2019 (May)
Thesis
Supervisors
Liverpool John Moores University, UK; PhD, Zoology *
Mechanisms facilitating coexistence between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Dr. Carlo Meloro; Professor Serge Wich; & Professor Matt Hayward
* with two years field-work in Botswana.
2015 - 2019 (May)
Thesis
Supervisors
Durham University, UK; MscR, Biological Sciences *
Risk-driven behaviour in the African leopard (Panthera pardus) to lion (Panthera leo) presence
Dr. Philip Stephens; & Dr. Shane Richards
* with five months field-work in Botswana
2015 - 2019 (May)
Thesis
Supervisors
University of Edinburgh, UK; BSc (Hons), Biological Sciences
Sperm Competition in a bruchid beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus)
Dr. Emma Cunningham
Teaching Experience
2018 - present
Lecturer, Liverpool Hope University, UK
Provide lectures, tutorials, and practical labs to classes of (8-20) level six students for a range of topics including, advanced studies in biological sciences, ecology, environmental science, and research methods in the sciences. Responsible for programme administration.
2018-2019
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Facilitated and demonstrated in a range of practical classes for undergraduate modules, including: ‘Advances in Animal Behaviour’, ‘Introduction to Research Methods in the Sciences’; and ‘Brain, Hormones, and Behaviour.’
2016-2018
Research Supervisor, Botswana Predator Conservation Trust, Botswana
Trained and supervised research interns, working at the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust on research experience placements, and research assistants. Provided training on field techniques, R statistical software, GIS, and camp management.
Other Research Experience
Research Assistant
Deployed traps for the capture of Tasmanian devils and spotted quolls in northern-Tasmania. Assisted with microchipping and health checks of captured individuals.
Collected behavioural data on primate species; carried out vegetation surveys; taught field techniques and plant identification to new researchers.
Research Assistant
Collected behavioural data on primate species; carried out vegetation surveys; taught field techniques and plant identification to new researchers.
Research Assistant
Collected behavioural data, audio recordings, and scent marks from large African predator species: lion, spotted hyaena, leopard, African wild dog, and cheetah.
Research Assistant
Surveyed local vegetation and assessed bird diversity as a bio-indicator for elephant damage in Kruger National Park.
Carnivore Conservancy
Australia
2018
Primate & Predator Project
South Africa
2014 & 2013
BPCT
Botswana
2013
Operation Wallacea
South Africa
2009
Publications
2019
Tourist photographs as a scalable framework for wildlife monitoring
Rafiq, K., Bryce C.M., Rich, L.N., Coco, C., Miller, D.A.W., McNutt, J.W., and Hayward, M.W.
Current Biology (In press)
2019
OpenDropOff: an open-source, low-cost drop-off unit for animal borne devices
Rafiq, K. Appleby, R.G, Edgar, J.P., Jordan, N.R., Dexter, C.E., Jones, D.N., Blacker, A.R.F, and Cochrane, M.
Methods in Ecology and Evolution
2019
Do mammals have a world wide web of interspecific signals?
Apps, P., Rafiq, K. and McNutt, J.W.
Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (In press)
2018
Movement patterns and athletic performance of leopards in the Okavango Delta
Hubel, T.Y., Golabek, K.A., Rafiq, K., McNutt, J.W. and Wilson, A.W.
Proc. R. Soc. B. Vol. 285
2018
Camera trap records of groups of ten and eleven honey badgers Mellivora capensis in northern Botswana
Apps, P., Rafiq, K. and McNutt, J.W.
Small Carnivore Conservation, Vol.56, pp. 9-11
Presentations
2019
Research seminar, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Internal speaker: Citizen-science on safari: a scalable framework for wildlife monitoring
2018
9th European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Oral presentation: Optimal scent marking placements of the African leopard
2018
Research seminar, Newcastle University, Australia
External speaker: Citizen-science on safari: a scalable framework for wildlife monitoring
2018
Research seminar, Western Plains Taronga Zoo (+ filmed for Sydney Zoo), Australia
External speaker: Citizen-science on safari: a scalable framework for wildlife monitoring
2018
Research seminar, University New South Wales, Australia
External speaker: Citizen-science on safari: a scalable framework for wildlife monitoring
2017
Postgraduate Research Conference, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Poster: Can tourist photographs be used to estimate African carnivore densities?
2016
American Society of Mammologists 96th Annual meeting, University of Minnesota, US
Poster: Leopard risk driven avoidance of lions: hide and seek in the African bush
2016
Postgraduate Research Conference, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Poster: Leopard risk driven avoidance of lions: hide and seek in the African bush
2015
Exemplary Science in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Durham, UK
Poster: Avoidance and attraction between the African leopard and lion
2015
Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Easter Conference, University of Durham, UK
Poster: Avoidance and attraction between the African leopard and lion
Public engagement
2018
Maun Community Research Talks, Maun, Botswana
Invited as a speaker to present research outputs to interested individuals from the wildlife safari sector, the wider public, and other researchers. These talks led to a national safari organisation approaching me to ask for assistance in setting up a wildlife monitoring program using their guides and tourists.
2017 - 2018
Conservation Outreach Talks, Santawani Lodge, Botswana
Developed a collaboration with Wilderness Safaris’ Santawani Lodge to deliver outreach talks to lodge guests and guides. Coordinated the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust’s Santawani outreach activities, including presentation development and activity schedule management, and gave > 20 outreach talks.
2016
Careers in Conservation Open Day, LJMU, UK
Invited as a guest speaker to speak with senior undergraduate students on the wildlife conservation career paths available to STEM graduates and the routes to employment/study. Asked to return in successive years, but was unable to do so because of PhD fieldwork.
2015
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Maths Ambassador, UK
Engaged with secondary school students on available careers within STEM subjects, specifically within the fields of biological sciences. Used my background in wildlife ecology and conservation to inspire students on the value of STEM subjects in today’s society.
Scholarships and funding awards
Other key skills, qualifications, and experience
Skilled with all Microsoft office software, including Access.
Experienced in data, editing, and analyses in R, including spatial analyses and the use of spatially-explicit capture-recapture models for estimating species densities.
Skilled in the use of QGIS software for data visualisation (including map creation), manipulation, and analyses.
Surveyed local vegetation and assessed bird diversity as a bio-indicator for elephant damage in Kruger National Park.
Microsoft Office Packages
R Statistical Software
QGIS Software
Outdoor first aid
Member of the organising committee for the 9th European Conference on Behavioural Biology, 2018.
Peer-reviewer for the Journal of Zoology
Managed remote field camp whilst regular management team were absent for extended periods
Surveyed local vegetation and assessed bird diversity as a bio-indicator for elephant damage in Kruger National Park.
Experienced in report writing for stake holders of all levels and balancing project budgets.