Study for a degree at Newquay University Centre

Ruth has worked at the Centre for Applied Zoology since 2004 as a lecturer, manager, supervisor and researcher.

Ruth’s particular areas of interest lies in the fields of anthrozoology, animal behavior and science communication. She has been lucky enough to staff the annual Borneo fieldtrip many times and have a keen interest in the primate ecology and behaviour.

As head of campus, Ruth is passionate about the positive impact interactions with the natural world can have on wellbeing, whether that’s through surfing, dog walking, mountaineering or picnicking!

Get in touch: ruth.martin@cornwall.ac.uk

Chris has lived and surfed in Newquay his whole life. It was his early years as a ‘grom’ that developed his passion for the ocean which eventually led him, as a mature student, to undertake a BSc Marine Zoology in Bangor, North Wales.

In 2005, after graduating from Bangor, Chris landed a job at Cornwall College Newquay and since then has become an integral part of the teaching team.

As programme manager for the FdSc Surf Science, Chris heads up one of the most unique degrees in the UK, teaching several modules through all stages and leading an annual fieldtrip to the Basque Country of France and Spain. He has since gone on to complete a research Masters focusing on the psychology of surfers and how surfing could be used a therapeutic intervention.
As a passionate and devoted surfer to this day he is committed to encourage and inspire students to be successful in this exciting and unique course and to go on to make a difference within the ever-expanding surf industry.

Get in touch: chris.selvey@cornwall.ac.uk

Arlin’s main interest and passion is birds, which stems from working as a bird keeper at Durrell Wildlife Trust on Jersey after completing his degree. Alongside teaching avian biology and conservation, Arlin is continuing his education by studying for a research masters, primarily focusing on the implications of flight restriction practices in captive birds.

Get in touch: arlin.slater@cornwall.ac.uk

Jason originally gained a degree in Oceanography with Marine Biology from the University of Southampton. After a period of research in Scotland, he landed a job as a Marine Science lecturer at Newquay’s sister site, Falmouth Marine School.

During the 2000s, he got involved with the Wildlife Trusts’ Public Understanding of the Marine Environment forum and this ignited his love of science and public engagement.

In 2008, he organised the UK’s first marine BioBlitz, as a way of getting his students even more engaged with the marine environment. This led to him providing advice to Bristol Natural History Consortium for their BioBlitz, and to the Natural History Museum and the Marine Biological Association for their larger, joint marine BioBlitz.

In 2008, he moved to the Newquay campus and since has taken on programme management of the marine biology courses. He remains committed to bringing public engagement and outreach of conservation science to students and is always immensely proud when students land a job in the same subject as they have been studying.

Get in touch: jason.birt@cornwall.ac.uk

Stephen completed his PhD in Biodiversity Management at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, specialising in conservation genetics of island snakes in Honduras.

Stephen then worked for Operation Wallacea as their Terrestrial Research and Operations Manager.

He now teaches zoology, conservation and genetics as well as running the college expedition to Honduras and the Newquay Student Genetics Group.

Get in touch: Stephen.green@cornwall.ac.uk

Mark joined Newquay Zoo (now part of the Wild Planet Trust) in 1996 as its Zoo Education Officer after an Arts Degree and Masters at Leicester University, a PGCE and several years teaching in a Cornish secondary school.

Mark was involved as part of the set-up team for University Centre Newquay in 1999/2000. He has taught on a range of zoo and conservation topics (most recently animal enclosure design, nutrition, safety, business and marketing, signage and interpretation) at both FE and HE level.

He served on the BIAZA Zoo Education Committee from 1999 to 2007 and has won several BIAZA zoo education awards for various projects ranging from designing family activity trails to MFL teaching through puppetry! He worked with many other UK zoos and Cornish venues such as Falmouth Art Gallery in celebrating the Darwin Bicentenary 2009.

Mark works at the zoo with groups from Primary and Secondary through Post 16 to lifelong learning and everyday zoo visitors. He has worked with a range of zoo sections from animal encounters and invertebrates through marketing to events and community outreach. As keeper of the Newquay Zoo Archive, he has also promoted the zoo through anniversary events.

Current research interests include the role of zoo history and how zoos survived wartime challenges, plant and animal signage, interpretation theory, history of science, science communication and visitor engagement.

Get in touch: mark.norris@cornwall.ac.uk

Sam teaches on our animal science modules. She specialises in anatomy and physiology and studied Bsc (Hons), Animal Science, (Behaviour and welfare). Sam studied at our sister college, Duchy Rosewarne, moving on to Plymouth to do her top up. Before working at Newquay, Sam was a keeper at Paradise Park for 5 years, and also used to practise as a veterinary assistant and did her advance equine dental technicians course at Hartbury. In her spare time, Sam likes to practice dog agility with her Cocker Spaniels.

Get in touch: sam.ellis@cornwall.ac.uk

Conor is an ex student at Newquay, he says himself that it changed his life and every day he comes to work hoping that he is helping others do the same. Conor studied MRes Sustainable Environmental Management and BSc Environmental Resource Management. Since 2018, Conor has worked as a research technician on soil erosion and land management projects, STEM outreach provision across Devon and Cornwall, setup multiple community garden projects, outdoor adventure facilitator, foraging guide, landscape designer for farms and smallholdings and now manages a small ecologically designed market garden with his partner Rose.

Get in touch: conor.kendrew@cornwall.ac.uk

Faye is a trustee with the NGO British Divers Marine Life Rescue. A charity dedicated to the training of marine mammal medics to assist in the first aid and rescue of stranded marine mammals in the UK. She has worked with cetaceans and marine turtles at a rehabilitation centre in Florida and Rhesus and Bonnet Macaques rescued from the pet trade in Goa. Faye is also a wildlife officer with the charity ORCA and carries out marine mammal surveys on ferry and cruise line routes. She is also a Wildlife Safe (WiSe) instructor promoting responsible wildlife watching through training, accreditation and awareness training. Faye spent some time working as an Aquarist at Southend Sealife Centre before starting teaching in 2002. Moving to Cornwall in 2009 she has continued to expand on her marine work and is also involved with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network. Faye also runs a small wildlife rescue facility from home specialising in the rehabilitation of hedgehogs as well as volunteering with the British Hen Welfare Trust as a poorly hen carer for recently rehomed ex commercial hens.

Get in touch: faye.archell@cornwall.ac.uk

John specialises in Field Ecology and has extensive work and research experience in the field. John’s experience ranges from reserve assistant with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to farm wildlife advisor – working on the Water Framework Directive Pilot scheme. John has also worked as an ecological consultant on Environmental Impact Assessments and Ecological Appraisals for various schemes ranging from National Infrastructure projects to barn conversions, specialising in avian mitigation, reptiles and bats. He also runs various expeditions and overseas field trips including to the Peruvian Amazon, Borneo, South Africa and Costa Rica.

Get in touch: john.blackburn@cornwall.ac.uk