Investigating husbandry and management factors that affect the welfare and productivity of agricultural animals.
The feasibility of novel systems of production, or aspects of production systems, using a wide variety of animal based and environmental measures
Methods of measuring and improving animal welfare
Reducing the impact of social and environmental stressors
Current Projects
Fit to Farrow Free: Preparing for free-farrowing: Development of appropriate management protocols for alternative farrowing systems (pigs, pen and people) offering sows greater freedom of movement and piglets the opportunity to comingle (2024 – 2028).
AgNav: Industry level data integration and development of an online digital sustainability platform and decision support tool for agricultural production systems in Ireland.
WelfarePartner: European Partnership in Animal Health and Welfare (2024 – 2027)
ValuePig: Using a circular bio-economy approach to add value to Irish pig-meat from farm to fork (2023 – 2027)
OneWelPig: Using a 'One Welfare' framework to develop alternative high welfare pig production systems. Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Research Stimulus fund (2022-2026)
Earwel: Elucidating etiology and risk factors for ear lesions on Irish pig farms (2021-2025)
Education
BA Biological Sciences, University of Oxford (2000)
MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare, University of Edinburgh (2004)
