Ms Ané Cloete

Office:

PD Hahn, 5.67

Research Interest:

Spatial capture-recapture methods, occupancy modelling, animal sound identification and recognition.

Biosketch

After beginning their studies at Stellenbosh University in conservation ecology and entomology, Ane discovered a passion for statistics during a second-year course.  This pivotal moment led to a transfer to the University of Cape Town, where they completed a degree in Applied Statistics and Biology.  They also completed an honours in Statistical Sciences at UCT, followed by a master's in Statistical Ecology at the University of St Andrew in Scotland.  Their master's dissertation focused on teaching Acoustic Spatial Capture Recapture (ASCR), a statistical method used to estimate animal density from recorded animal calls.  This work earned them a Steve Buckland Prize for Best Performance and sparked a broader interest in refining ASCR methodologies, advancing statistical education, and bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application.  As a lecturer, they are keen on improving the statistical literacy of first and second-year students who are required to take statistics, recognising that a solid grasp of data and evidence is essential for informed citizenship, critical thinking, and success in a data-driven world.