Becky Whay

Becky WhayProfessor of Sustainable Global Animal Welfare Vice President internationalBecky was awarded a PhD from the University of Bristolin 1999 following work to improve methods of detecting and relievingpain associated with lamenessin UK dairy cattle, a field in which she continues to work. Alongside her Vice President International role her research field is developing methods of assessing and improving welfare of working and production animals.Prior to her move to Ireland she spend 20 years investigating animal behaviour and welfare at the University of Bristol Veterinary School. She has recently been working with dairy farmers to reduce chronic lameness in their cattle and with Ethiopian donkey owners to understand how donkeys contribute to their lives. She has researched, published and presented papers widely in the arena of animal welfare assessment and improvement both within the UK and at international forums.

Sustainable Global Animal WelfareblockquoteblockquoteI work in particular with production (farmed) and working animals (e.g. traction and load bearing - donkeys, horses, mules, camels and oxen) around the world. My areas of research interest are: -Developing animal welfare assessment methodologies,-Conducting welfare assessments of groups or populations of production and working animals-Epidemiological and field based investigations of the causes of animal welfare problems-Implementation of interventions to improve animal welfare-Assessment and alleviation of chronic pain in production and working animalsI use both natural science and social science research methodologies and use mixed methodologies.I have experience of using participatory research methods (e.g. Participatory Rural Appraisal) in many Global South countries. I have also used Social Marketing and other behaviour change methodologies as part of intervention studies.I have a growing research interest in the intersection between sustainable food system delivery and animal welfare.