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I’m an Arachnologist currently based in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing at the University of Canterbury (Christchurch, New Zealand), and I’m a Visiting Scientist at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Mbita, Kenya). My background is in Biology as well as Psychology and I use jumping spiders (family Salticidae) to investigate topics relating to animal cognition.

I’m a prime example of someone who can overcome a fear of spiders and become fascinated by them! Check out this video that I worked on with Damian Christie from Aotearoa Science Agency. For more details about my research, click here.

Dr Fiona Cross takes us to her childhood garden where she grew up terrified of spiders, before facing her fears and becoming a passionate expert in the field.
 

NEW VIDEO! I have also been featured on the New Zealand children’s television show Fanimals, talking about why I think spiders are wonderful.

Dr Fiona Cross on the New Zealand children's show Fanimals explains why she became so interested in spiders, and why spiders are our friends. To learn more about Dr Fiona Cross's work, check out her website: www.doctorspider.net