Aims of the Animal Welfare & Behaviour Group
The Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group, based within the School of Veterinary Science, is a centre of excellence in animal welfare science, influencing national and international agendas, innovating in all aspects from fundamental to applied research, and working with farm, companion, laboratory, zoo and working animals.
The group provides top quality, research-informed teaching, including a BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and plays a critical role in developing the careers of scientists interested in animal welfare .
The group aims to maintain and grow its current position as a world leader in animal welfare research, by focusing on the following priorities :
- To carry out high quality fundamental research into animal motivation, cognition and emotion, including the development of novel approaches, to underpin new and better methods for animal welfare assessment
- To increase understanding of human factors influencing animal welfare and behaviour.
- To define husbandry risk factors and develop practical solutions for existing and emerging welfare problems.
- To develop and evaluate implementation strategies which promote human actions that improve the welfare of animals, at all levels from individuals to populations.
Our approach
- The group’s approach encompasses three overlapping and synergistic activities: investigating, instigating and informing.
- The group strongly advocates the application of all appropriate scientific methods, including biostatistical and modelling approaches, to resolve issues that arise between humans and their animals.
- The existing strong links with the veterinary profession at all levels; undergraduate, postgraduate and practicing, are an important asset of the group.
- We actively explore and engage in collaborations with world-leading research scientists in our own and other world-class institutions, and recruit specialists in other disciplines who have a special interest in our aims.
- The group also believes in building lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with other organisations that have interests in the welfare of animals, including governmental and industry bodies, and animal welfare charities.