First All Ireland Animal Welfare Science Research Forum Held in UCD
UCD School of Veterinary Medicine hosted the first All Ireland Animal Welfare Science (AWS) Research Forum on 22 March; the event was organised by Professor Siobhan Mullan and Dr Claire Corridan from the School and Dr Keelin O'Driscoll and Dr Laura Boyle from Teagasc. The School was delighted to welcome over 50 attendees, with many PhD students and early career researchers presenting their research spanning farmed animals, companion animals, captive wild animals, laboratory animals and horses. Participants had the opportunity to network with other researchers and to discuss research methodologies in small groups, as well as the practical implications of their research in improving the lives of animals.
Our plenary speaker Dr Eimear Murphy returned to her alma mater (UCD, Psychology) to give us insights into her research in animal cognition and recent transition to working for the NGO Compassion in World Farming. Attendees also enjoyed the ‘Scientific Desert Island Discs’ of Dr Gareth Arnott (School of Biological Sciences, QUB) and took a delightful lunchtime walk around the UCD Earth Institute Biodiversity Trail. Participants came away from the day with the sense that the field of animal welfare science in Ireland now has a critical mass and is producing high quality outputs to help society navigate towards an ever more animal-friendly world. The organisers are looking forward to building on this year’s successful event in 2024.