Fiona Cross

Dr Fiona Cross, also known as Dr Spider, is based in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch (New Zealand), and is also affiliated with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Mbita (Kenya). Her background is in Biology as well as in Psychology, and she has primarily worked with jumping spiders (family Salticidae) to investigate topics relating to animal cognition. This has included investigating how jumping spiders, which have brains that would comfortably fit on pinheads, show evidence of planning, selective attention, expectancy violation and numerical competency, all of which have been traditionally investigated in animals with much bigger brains.

Besides having expertise in spider cognition, Fiona has extensive experience in science communication. She regularly assists journalists with articles, has been interviewed on the radio and in podcasts, has television experience, and regularly gives talks to a variety of audiences.