Will HoppittView profile
Lecturer
Will Hoppitt is a Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Cumbria since 2024, with over 25 years of experience as a zoologist specializing in animal behavior and behavioral ecology. He holds a qualification in statistical modeling, emphasizing its integration into zoological education. Previously lecturing at Anglia Ruskin University and Leeds University, he was drawn to Cumbria’s natural surroundings for field-based teaching opportunities. His research focuses on animal social learning, examining cultural transmission mechanisms across species like humpback whales, chimpanzees, and honeybees. Notable projects include analyzing the spread of novel behaviors and the role of social networks in collective foraging. He teaches modules such as Animal Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology, and Statistical Modelling Techniques, integrating practical fieldwork and computer simulations into teaching methods. His work emphasizes close student interaction through seminars and group discussions, distinguishing Cumbria’s undergraduate programs. The university’s location near the Lake District and Pennines allows frequent fieldwork, such as deer park studies at Levens Hall. Hoppitt’s career includes freelance statistical consulting and safari guiding in Botswana’s Makadikadi region.










