Rate My Professor Sophie Collins

Dr. Sophie Collins serves as Lecturer in Statistics within the School of Science and Technology at the University of New England, part of the Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law. In this role, she coordinates key undergraduate and postgraduate units focused on statistical methods essential for scientific research. These include Statistical Modelling and Experimental Design (STAT210 and STAT410), which equip students with skills to analyse data, interpret results, and communicate findings effectively; Advanced Statistical Modelling (STAT320 and STAT520), emphasizing transformation of experimental data into insights through advanced techniques; and Foundational Quantitative Methods for Environmental and Rural Sciences (QMERS100), providing introductory quantitative tools tailored to environmental applications. Her involvement in the Applied Mathematics research group underscores her contributions to mathematical applications in science.

Prior to her lecturing position, Dr. Collins completed a Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the University of New England, achieving first-class honours for her honours project investigating the occupancy of frog species in the Armidale region. She then pursued a PhD at the same institution in collaboration with the Australian Museum Research Institute, extending her research to the occupancy and populations of frog species across the broader New England Tablelands. This work focused on threatened species such as the booroolong frog, exploring ecological factors influencing their distribution. Her expertise in herpetology led to her serving as a keynote speaker at a National Threatened Species Day event, discussing conservation impacts. Dr. Collins has also contributed to field surveys and resurveys of frog populations in the region. Transitioning her quantitative skills from ecological research to teaching statistics, she supports students in science, agriculture, and environmental fields at UNE.