Human Animal Science

When someone turns a fun hobby into a game changing tool for good, it’s inspirational! That’s exactly what Lian Pin Koh has achieved in bringing affordable drone technology to aid conservation scientists. A tropical ecologist by training, Associate Professor Lian Pin Koh received his PhD from Princeton University, where he studied the environmental and policy implications of oil-palm development in […] The post A Game of Drones: Using Drones in Conservation first appeared on Human Animal Science.

Imagine deciphering the first form of intentional communication to be recorded in the animal kingdom. That’s exactly what Dr Catherine Hobaiter has done after years of following wild chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest of Uganda, Africa. She studies the evolution, acquisition and flexibility of communication and social behaviour, in particular through long-term field studies of wild chimpanzees. For [&hellip

Do whips make horses run faster or win races? Are jockeys using whips to steer and stay safe, or are they simply whipping tired horses? These are the questions that prompted Professor Paul McGreevy of the University of Sydney to research the use of whips in horse racing. Paul is recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as [&hellip

Sophie Constable, Education Officer at Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC), has training as a veterinarian, in Indigenous education, and in public health. She has worked in the field in pet education programs in urban, rural and remote Indigenous communities. In this episode of Human Animal Science, we chat to Sophie about her research [&hellip

Stephen Jenkinson is the United Kingdom’s only specialist in behavioural psychology and its practical application to influence the behaviour of walkers with dogs. He holds Master of Science (MSc) and a post-graduate Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling. In 2013 the United Nations Development Program contacted International Fund for Animal Welfare for help in managing [&hellip

Dr Megan Mueller is a developmental psychologist working in the Cummings School of veterinary medicine at Tufts University (USA). Megan’s own passion for animals led her to scientifically examine the roles they play in human health and positive development for children, families and communities. In this episode of Human Animal Science, we speak to Megan [&hellip

Kate Mornement is an animal behaviourist who engages in regular ongoing professional development. When it means interacting with beluga whales, exotic parrots, lions and gorgeous puppies, why wouldn’t she? Tim and Mia talk to Kate to find out more about the application of learning theory across this wide range of animals. Listen to this podcast: [&hellip

Dr Holly Lane is an Associate Professor in the School of Special Education, School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies at the University of Florida’s College of Education. Her research focuses on literacy intervention and prevention of reading difficulties through effective early literacy instruction and teacher education. Holly’s first observations as a classroom teacher with her own dog, [&hellip

Hal Herzog is recognised as one of the world’s leading anthrozoology experts, having researched human-animal relations for over two decades. He is particularly interested in how people negotiate real-world ethical dilemmas, and has studied animal activists, cockfighters, animal researchers and circus animal trainers. A professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, Hal blogs at Psychology Today [&hellip

Dr Rachel Casey is a veterinary surgeon, animal behaviourist and welfare scientist working at the University of Bristol Veterinary School in the United Kingdom. She has a PhD in animal behaviour and leads a research group investigating aspects of companion animal behaviour and welfare. Rachel’s recent research focus on aggressive behaviour in dogs has highlighted important [&hellip

In Part 2 (catch up on Part 1 here) of our conversation with Mark Farnworth of Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, we learn what the scientific research can tell us about the success of methods to control free roaming (owned and unowned) cat populations – and what it can’t.  We talk about [&hellip

Mark Farnworth, from the Department of Natural Sciences at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, is curious about cats. Cats as pets and cats as pests. Are cats a threat to biodiversity or are they possible caretakers of biodiversity? This interview was fascinating, and the topic complex, so we are releasing it in [&hellip

Dr Kersti Seksel, registered specialist in veterinary behaviour medicine and behavioural science major in human psychology, explains the complicated and sensitive topic of animal hoarding.  This issue is difficult to research and complex to resolve, but help is available. Listen to this podcast: Links Dr Kersti Seksel: Sydney Animal Behaviour Service RSPCA: Animal Hoarding information [&hellip

Maggie O’Haire returns to Human Animal Science to discuss her innovative research (based at the University of Queensland) helping children with autism with assistance from some unassuming guinea pigs. Maggie is currently completing her PhD and is Project Director for an NICHD-WALTHAM funded grant to study Animal-Assisted Intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder and their [&hellip

Julie Hecht, MSc is a researcher and science writer fascinated not just by animal behaviour and welfare, but how we think about animals and the consequences of those thoughts. Take anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to animals or objects) as a key example. In this episode of Human Animal Science we explore what actually happens when [&hellip