School of Education

Dr Caitlin Kight

Dr Caitlin Kight

Lecturer in Education Studies

 C.R.Kight@exeter.ac.uk

 North Cloisters NC132

 

North Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

I came to education via a circuitous and multidisciplinary route, starting in behavioural ecology (specializing in animal communication), then moving through science editing, communications and marketing, and academic development, before finally accepting an academic position. My family contains many teachers and wordsmiths, so it is perhaps unsurprising that I have always been interested in supporting learning -- not just in the classroom, but also through outreach events, writing, and art. I am a LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator and often use this and other playful techniques in my approach.

I believe that education is a key means through which we can facilitate equity and justice -- not just for people but also for the natural environment with which we are intimately connected. Because of my interest in pedagogies of care and liberation, I have pursued topics and practices associated with social justice, sustainability, and pastoral care. For example, I am a Dignity and Respect Advisor, a Mental Health Champion, a qualified first aider, and an accredited coach (through Notion and Ikigai Tribe); I am also an editor and writer for the nonprofit educational magazine Current Conservation.

As a researcher, I study the value of self-study as an approach to support the development of confidence, compassion, and expertise; I am especially keen to explore these reflective techniques as a means of supporting teachers to engage with social justice activities within their education practice. I am also interested in education within the heritage sector -- thinking about how to decolonise heritage spaces and equip visitors, volunteers, and heritage practitioners to fruitfully engage with historical spaces and artefacts even when they are emotionally and mentally challenging.

Qualifications

Academic qualifications:

EdD, School of Education, University of Exeter (ongoing)

PCAP, Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter, 2018

PhD in Applied Science, College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia, USA), 2009

MS in Biology, College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia, USA), 2005

BS in Biology, Haverford College (Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA), 2003

Further qualifications:

Accredited Internal Coach (August 2022)

STAR®  Manager Practitioner (June 2022)

STAR®  Manager (June 2022)

Ikigai Tribe Coach (February 2021)

Lego® Serious Play® Facilitator (September 2020)

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2020)

Career

October 2018-October 2022: Senior Academic Developer, University of Exeter, UK

March 2017-October 2018: Academic Developer, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

February 2017-March 2018: Campaign Manager, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

February 2016-February 2017: Head of Communications and Marketing (maternity cover), College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

August 2014-January 2016: Communications and Marketing Manager, Cornwall Campuses, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK

September 2013-August 2014: Education Team Leader, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK

October 2012-May 2013: Assistant Grand Challenges co-ordinator

October-December 2012: Associate lecturer; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Tremough, Penryn, UK

Winter 2009-Autumn 2013: Science editor; Editage, Mumbai, India

Autumn 2010-Autumn 2013: Postdoctoral researcher; University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK

Links

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Publications

Books

Kight CR (2015). Flamingo. London, Reaktion Books.  Author URL.

Journal articles

Kight CR (In Press). Exploring Earth's Fate in Human Hands. Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Kight C (2017). Rediscovering a Lost Hero. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 32(3), 153-154.
Kight CR, Swaddle JP (2015). Eastern Bluebirds Alter their Song in Response to Anthropogenic Changes in the Acoustic Environment. Integr Comp Biol, 55(3), 418-431. Abstract.  Author URL.
Kight CR (2013). A brief history of zoonoses. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 28(8), 450-450.
Kight CR, Hinders MK, Swaddle JP (2012). Acoustic space is affected by anthropogenic habitat features: Implications for AVIAN vocal communication. Ornithological Monographs, 74, 47-62. Abstract.
Kight CR, Saha MS, Swaddle JP (2012). Anthropogenic noise is associated with reductions in the productivity of breeding Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). Ecological Applications, 22(7), 1989-1996. Abstract.
(2012). Chapter 6: Constraints on acoustic signaling among birds breeding in secondary cavities: the effects of weather, cavity material, and noise on sound propagation. Ornithological Monographs, 74(1), 63-77.
Kight CR, Swaddle JP (2011). How and why environmental noise impacts animals: an integrative, mechanistic review. Ecol Lett, 14(10), 1052-1061. Abstract.  Author URL.
Cornell KL, Kight CR, Burdge RB, Gunderson AR, Hubbard JK, Jackson AK, LeClerc JE, Pitts ML, Swaddle JP, Cristol DA, et al (2011). Reproductive success of Eastern Bluebirds (Siala sialis) on suburban golf courses. Auk, 128(3), 577-586. Abstract.
Kight CR, Swaddle JP (2007). Associations of anthropogenic activity and disturbance with fitness metrics of eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis). Biological Conservation, 138(1-2), 189-197.

Chapters

Kight CR, de Soto NA (2015). Physiological effects of noise on aquatic animals. In Solan M, Whiteley NM (Eds.) Stressors in the Marine Environment Physiological and Ecological Responses; Societal Implications, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 135-158. Abstract.
Kight CR, McNamara JM, Stephens DW, Dall SRX (2013). COMMUNICATION AS INFORMATION USE: INSIGHTS FROM STATISTICAL DECISION THEORY. In Stegmann UE (Ed) Animal communication theory: Information and Influence, Cambridge University Press, 89-110. Abstract.
Kight CR, David M, Dall SRX (2013). The Evolution of Animal Personality Variation. In Kehrer-Sawatzki H (Ed) Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Abstract.

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