WILDLIFETEK SUMMER SCHOOL:
ONLINE WILDLIFE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATION COURSE
In this online course you'll learn how you can use technology to help better understand & conserve wildlife. This course has been designed to help get you started on the right path to gaining the technical knowledge & skills you need for your wildlife career.
2023 DATES TBC
IS THIS FOR YOU?
- Are you a wildlife student or early career wildlife professional?
- Would you like to gain new knowledge and skills to help you move forward in your wildlife career?
- Would you like to learn how you can use technology to help understand & conserve wildlife?
If you answered yes, you're in the right place!
WILDLIFETEK STUDENT
Sign up! It was a very informative course without a big time commitment. The high level of student and teacher engagement made me look forward to every day. The format made it easy to comment to ask questions or participate in discussions. Kayleigh also gave us fun assignments; it was so cool to see what everyone from around the world was focusing on. I feel so inspired now and look forward to utilizing some of the technologies in the future. Lastly, Kayleigh added valuable posts and videos in between lessons that I enjoyed.
AFTER COMPLETING THIS COURSE YOU WILL:
- Add a valuable experience to your CV/resume
- Be able to make informed decisions on which technology to use
- Understand the pros & cons of a wide range of technologies
- Be able to apply the theory you have learned to practical wildlife projects
- have gained a Certificate in Wildlife Technology
COURSE MODULES
MODULE 1: WILDLIFE TECHNOLOGY
In this module we start to explore what technology is available and how it applies to a range of wildlife applications. We look at how to select the best technology for your species of interest, whatever your budget.
MODULE 2: SOUND
In Module 2, we dive deeper into technologies that can help us to 'hear' more wildlife. We look at the benefits and limitations of sound technology and explore what technology might work best for your wildlife species application.
WILDLIFETEK STUDENT
I am really delighted to be part of this group of lucky students, who are mentored by a teacher so intelligent and brilliant. One who masters her specialty and who uses a very interesting teaching method and very practical teaching tools. I know that this will help me immensely not only in my studies, but also in my future scientific research.
MODULE 3: VISION
In Module 3, we take an in-depth exploration of technologies that can help us to see more wildlife. We look at the benefits and limitations of these vision technologies and explore which best fits your wildlife species application.
MODULE 4: AUTOMATION
In our final module we explore ways we can use cutting-edge technologies to make wildlife detection easier. We'll look at the future of technology for wildlife applications and point you towards the developments to keep an eye out for.
WILDLIFETEK STUDENT
This course is fantastic for anyone who is interested in wildlife research. I learned about many different technologies, some of which I didn't even know existed before taking the course! It really made me think about my own research as a graduate student in ecology, and ways that I can implement different technologies in my future fieldwork.
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL SUPPORT
In this course you will learn from wildlife professionals who will share their valuable knowledge & experience with you. The Wildlifetek team have spent years using wildlife technology out in the field. We'll provide you with expert support and guidance to help you gain the skills you need to do the wildlife work you love.
During the course, you will see what technology is available to you and how you can get started using selected devices for a variety of species and situations. You'll find support and guidance to help you find the right equipment for your needs and budget, as well as assistance with getting the best results from the technology you already have.
Once you have completed the course, you’ll also have access to the Wildlifetek Alumni community. Here you can continue your Wildlifetek learning journey, keep in touch with your classmates and benefit from the hive of information from our Wildlifetek Alumni around the world.
All students who complete the course and submit their completed workbooks receive a Wildlifetek Course Certificate in Wildlife Technology.
TECHNOLOGY WE COVER INCLUDES...
TRAIL CAMERAS
THERMAL IMAGING
ACOUSTIC RECORDERS
ANALYSIS SOFTWARE
DRONES
UNDERWATER RECORDING DEVICES
INFRARED REFLECTANCE
ULTRASONIC DETECTORS
NIGHT VISION
...AND MANY MORE!
THIS COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES:
- Weekly video lessons
- Weekly exercises
- Class discussions
- Independent learning resources
STUDENT INTERVIEWS
Want to know what the course is like? Check out what previous students had to say!
YOUR COURSE LEADER
This course is taught by Dr. Kayleigh Fawcett Williams, with the assistance of her team at Wildlifetek. Kayleigh has been using technology for wildlife applications for the past seventeen years.
Kayleigh’s work has taken her around the world, including New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark and Belize to name a few. Kayleigh now helps wildlife students and professionals to gain the technical knowledge and skills they need for their wildlife careers.
Knowing from an early age that she wanted to work with animals, Kayleigh started out her career by pursuing a degree in Biological Science at Cambridge University (2003-2006) where she conducted her thesis on the behaviour of free-ranging Konik horses using optics and night vision technology. In the summer of 2004, Kayleigh travelled to Mongolia to study the re-released Przewalski’s horses using GPS systems to map their daily movements.
After graduating, Kayleigh discovered the exciting world of bats. After a bat walk with her local bat group in Lincolnshire (UK), Kayleigh was hooked. She started working with ultrasonic detectors and sound analysis software over the next few years working with these fascinating animals.
In 2010, Kayleigh moved to Denmark to study for her PhD in Bioacoustics. Her doctoral work focused on the echolocation calls of Rhinolophus and Myotis bats in the laboratory and in the field (UK, Denmark & South Africa). During this time, Kayleigh discovered thermal imaging technology and began using this as an additional technique alongside her sound recording equipment. During this time, Kayleigh trained as a Thermographer at FLIR Headquarters in the UK.
Following her PhD studies, Kayleigh returned home to the UK in 2013 where she began working in a large consultancy surveying for bats. Here she began developing thermal survey methods for bats and other wildlife species. In 2016, Kayleigh travelled to New Zealand to train wildlife surveyors to use thermal imaging technology.
Realising her passion for wildlife and technology, Kayleigh started up her own company in 2017 to share her specialist knowledge with other wildlife professionals and enthusiasts. In 2019, Kayleigh published the “Thermal Imaging Bat Survey Guidelines” in association with the Bat Conservation Trust, and is currently working on her book on “Thermal Imaging for Wildlife Applications”. Kayleigh now shares her knowledge and skills globally via her online training and support services, with the help of her growing team.
WILDLIFETEK STUDENT
This course was a fantastic overview of technologies that can be applied to wildlife work, with some really interesting and insightful presentations. Not only did I learn a great deal from the content, but it gave me more confidence in my existing skills AND opened my eyes to the possibilities of using technology in my future work.
WILDLIFETEK STUDENT
I especially enjoyed how the lessons were interspersed with real demonstrations by specialists/professionals, which brought theory 'to life' in a simple and motivating way. The lecturers' passion and enthusiasm transformed potentially complex modules into easy to listen-and-comprehend subjects. Exercises are cleverly distributed through the models, never too difficult to execute.
COURSE TUTORS
Adam Yaney-Keller
Adam has worked over the past decade on wildlife conservation projects in the U.S., Latin America, the Mediterranean and Africa.
Dr Kayleigh Fawcett Williams
Kayleigh is the Founder of Wildlifetek. Kayleigh has spent the past 17 years working with wildlife around the world. Kayleigh now helps wildlife students & professionals to gain the knowledge & skills they need to better understand and protect wildlife.
Dr Priscillia Miard
Priscillia is a Primate Conservation specialist and is founder and lead researcher of Night Spotting Project, an outreach platform from the Malaysian Primatological Society.
Aimee Darias-O'Hara
Aimee is a marine mammal scientist interested in the behavioural implications of anthropogenic disturbances and social bonding in young animals.
Virginia Pelayo
Virginia is a passionate biologist and ethologist (animal behaviourist) focused on wild cats. Originally from Spain, she moved to Costa Rica in 2017, where she is currently working.
Line Faber Johannesen
Line is a Marine Biologist working on the population genetics of sharks at the University of Copenhagen. Line is working on some exciting wildlife conservation projects.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much time does it take?
Allow 2-4 hours per week. This can be done in your own time, anywhere you have access to the internet.
Do I need to attend the lessons at a set time each week?
No. We've designed the course to be flexible, so you can attend the lessons live if you like or you can catch up on them in your own time.
Our students come from all over the world, so we made sure you can participate no matter what your time zone.
Do I need to buy any equipment to complete the course?
No! All you need is your smartphone, tablet or computer to access the course materials.
COURSE MODULES
Module 1: Introduction to Wildlife Technology
Module 2: Sound
Module 3: Vision
Module 4: Automation
Join Our Waitlist!
We are sorry you missed the Class of 2022. But you can join our waitlist to be among the first to know when we open applications so you don't miss out on Summer School 2023!