Fleur Morton
Animal Behaviour and Conservation Researcher
Upper Second Class Honours Master of Science graduate in Animal Behaviour, aspiring Animal Behaviour and Wildlife conservation researcher.
Who Am I?
I am currently living in Exeter, UK, with my wonderful husband and child, with our two pet house rabbits Raven and Comet.
After a brief career in patisserie, I discovered my passion for academics and psychology and all that was involved in studying the mind and behaviour. After gaining a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, I entered the field of Animal Behaviour for my Master's, following my life-long passion and interest in all different species of animals with which we share our planet. I have always found the behaviour of other creatures fascinating, and my wider career goal is to make this world a better place for all of the animals that I am able to, advocating for those that are unable to advocate for themselves.
After 6 years of educational experience in Psychology and Animal Behaviour I am ready to undertake a PhD and enter the working world in the field of conservation in order to create meaningful change for animals and wildlife.
During my career I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate on some exciting projects with some amazing people. I take pride in all that I do and enjoy the creative process of working in a multi- disciplinary team and have developed strong working relationships. I firmly believe that hard work brings great results, and always work to my best ability.
Explore my portfolio, and feel free to get in touch with any questions.
Data Analysis
I have a strong data analysis background and
love learning new skills. My time studying has given me a keen eye for detail and a logic-focused mindset when it comes to analysing a variety of datasets. On this portfolio you will find a number of projects involving various data analysis software, such as:
-
Languages Python
-
Software R, MATLAB, SPSS, Jamovi, Psychopy, Adobe Creative Suite, Qualtrics
Research Skills
Throughout my career I've always thought that it is important refer back to the purpose and question of a piece of research, helping to ensure all methods are utilised in the best way possible to gather meaningful data. Throughout my time studying I have utilised methods of quantitative and qualitative researching such as:
-
Questionnaires
-
Interviews and Thematic Analysis
-
Field research
-
Lab research
Team Work
My time studying provided me the opportunity to work across different platforms and teams in both remote and in person settings. This has allowed me to foster the communication skills and adaptability needed to optimise team-wide poductivity outside of the classroom or lab environment, as well as build strong time management skills.
Key Skills:
-
Effective Communicator at all levels
-
Excellent Time Management
-
Versatile Problem Solver
-
Hard working
Work Experience
Project Planning for Wildlife Conservation
Jun 2023 - August 2023
I have just completed a professional certification in Project Planning for Wildlife Conservation through a one-month training course, facilitated by WildTeam UK.
I learned in key skills in Creating, Planning and Executing a Conservation Strategy For Conservation Projects, Programmes, Partnerships and Organisations. I created my own conservation strategy based on the principles I learned, outlining the current situation for specific Endangered Wildlife and planned work and outcomes, factoring in Different Stakeholders and Optimising Work Packages to best target Intervention Points. Overall, I have trained in developing highly efficient, Impact-Focused Conservation strategies for any conservation project; assessing the change that needs to be made, and planning the work and impact of the project, as well as Adapting to The Needs of The Project and Situation based on the bigger picture and different groups involved.
For more details visit: https://www.wildteam.org.uk/online-training-project-planning
Jun 2022 - Sept 2022
During my Master of Science degree in Animal Behaviour I undertook a Research Apprenticeship dissertation project in which I worked alongside researchers and PhD students in the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) laboratory at the University of Exeter, specifically the bumblebee lab.
I conducted my own research project working with a bumblebee colony in the greenhouse facilities at the university, setting up and observing an artificial flower patch environment in order to gather data on bumblebees' learning flights and spatial memory.
I analysed and compared the learning flight characteristics of a bumblebee colony at an artificial flower patch with a high volume of sucrose reward from each flower, versus an artificial flower patch with a low volume of sucrose reward from each flower. I recorded learning flights from both flower patches, extracting data using video editing and MATLAB software, and analysing a large data set in R software.
Does the volume of sucrose reward at a flower patch influence bumblebees' spatial memory? 🐝
Does territory characteristics influence the frequency and length of spiral flights amongst different species of butterflies?🦋
March 2022 - May 2022
During my Master of Science degree I also conducted an Independent Research Project investigating the behaviour of a variety of species of Woodland Butterflies in two different locations, both on campus at the University of Exeter and elsewhere, by the riverside in Exeter.
In this piece of research I investigated the spiral flights that take place, when butterflies are in conflict over sunspot territories. Specifically, I investigated whether the characteristics of these sunspot territories had influence over the frequency and intensity of these conflicts. Through observing and recording wild butterfly behaviour at both locations, as well as recording lux level, temperature and type of terrain, I found that lux level, temperature and grass type at a territory significantly predicted the frequency and length of spiral flight conflicts between butterflies.
This study therefore suggested that territory quality may have an influence on the frequency and intensity of wild butterfly conflict across different species, irrespective of who wins.
.jpg)
Impression Management in Musical Taste: Investigating the influences of Impression Management Strategies and Individual Differences in Music Sharing Behaviour 🎶
September 2020 - May 2021
For my undergraduate dissertation during my Bachelor of science in Psychology, I conducted a research project in Social Psychology, investigating the factors that may influence individuals' Sharing of Their Musical Taste With Others.
Specifically, I built a questionnaire study and analysed whether the use of Impression Management Strategies when interacting with others, as well as an individual's Personality Traits, Self-Esteem and Self-Monitoring Behaviour would have an association with their frequency and feelings sharing their taste in music with others.
I gathered over 400 responses, analysing a large quantitative dataset from a questionnaire I built on qualtrics software from scratch.
Developmental Research Lab Work
During my first and second years at Oxford Brookes University earning my Psychology degree, I assisted in the Developmental Psychology laboratory.
Under the PRES programme (Psychology Research Experience Scheme), I assisted developmental psychologists and PhD students with their Research into the Language Development of bilingual infants and children, and then later the experience of individuals with the ability to Speak Backwards.
This research assistant experience involved liasing with parents of children participating in the studies, entering and organising Large Quantities of Data an Participant Information, creating Posters and Infographics for events, Transcribing Interviews, and doing Background Reading of past literature and studies in the relevant areas.
FSN Dragonflies Project
Sept 2017- Sept 2018
Alongside working on my A-Levels, I volunteered for a year at the Fellowship of St. Nicholas centre in Saint Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, for the Dragonflies Bereavement Project.
This project is set up for Children and Young People that are going through the loss of a loved one, providing Support Groups in which they can express their emotions with others going through a similar experience, alongside trained professionals and volunteers, and take part in art and craft projects that are meaningful and cathartic. I volunteered with the peer support group catered to 5 year-olds and older, helping with Art and Craft Projects, and start of the session Check-Ins of how members of the group were feeling and coping.
For more details of the project, visit: https://www.fsncharity.co.uk/projects/dragonflies-bereavement-project
Blue Cross For Pets 🐾
May 2016 - Sept 2016
Following a visit to my local Blue Cross rescue centre to donate funds I had raised after planning and hosting my own fundraiser 'Paws for Tea' party in aid of Blue Cross for Pets, I began volunteering at the Northiam rescue centre branch of the Blue Cross for Pets charity.
My volunteer title was 'Cat Socialiser', I was responsible for helping in getting all cats at the centre Acclimatised to Humans as much as possible in readiness to find their new forever home. This involved letting each cat out of their enclosure into the main building and Spending Time With Them Each Individually, playing with them with whatever toys they enjoyed, giving them attention and allowing them to sit on my lap if that's what they pleased.
I was then responsible for Writing a Summary Report of each Cat's Behaviour, that was used to build an idea of the cat's temparament in order to inform prospective owners, and to grade each cat on the traffic light system implemented to display to volunteers and staff members how aggressive or friendly a particular cat is on their general information attached to their enclosure and notes.
Past Papers & Projects
Education & Professional Qualifications
Project Planning for Wildlife Conservation certificate - WildTeam UK
June 2023 - July 2023
I am currently completing a professional training certificate through WildTeam UK in Project Planning for Wildlife Conservation, which will make me professionally trained in planning and implementing conservation strategy for wildlife conservation projects, programmes, organisations and partnerships.
MSc in Animal Behaviour - University of Exeter
September 2021 - September 2022
I completed a Master of Science degree in Animal Behaviour at the University of Exeter, in which I achieved a Merit (2:1). Throughout the course of the year I completed several pieces of research both independently and collaboratively, utilising different research and analysis methods (such as working in R software) in the study of animals. I also had the opportunity to attend talks with prominent researchers in the Animal Behaviour and Psychology field, in which I participated in Q&A discussions and got a real understanding of the issues being tackled by researchers in this field at present. I also honed my statistical analysis skills, as well as my skills in translating research outcomes and conclusions into magazine articles, press releases, lay summaries and informative presentations.
BSc (Hons) in Psychology - Oxford Brookes University
September 2018 - June 2021
Over the course of my three years studying Psychology at undergraduate level, I studied all aspects of human psychology, from neuroscience and biological psychology to social, cognitive and developmental psychology. I also studied mental health disorders, as well as psychological interventions for environmental and health issues. I completed many comprehensive assessments, laboratory reports and papers of my own, both independently and as a part of a research team. These ranged from studies of individuals' experimental responses to survival versus inocuous contexts to the biological underpinnings of deja-vu. I learned advanced data analysis skills in both SPSS and Jamovi, and assisted in the first-year teaching workshops in statistical analysis in my final year, alongside writing my final dissertation research paper on my study of impression management and individual differences in music sharing, earning me a 2:1 in my degree overall.
A Level Psychology
September 2016 - June 2018
In my A Level Psychology course I learned all the fundamentals of human psychology and statitical analysis over a two year course.
From Freud to Milgram and Pavlov, I learned a plethora of key studies and principles, building a strong foundation of knowledge of key ideas, theories and skills in psychology, achieving an A overall from my final exams.