Saskia Kliphuis

Dr. Saskia Kliphuis is a dedicated researcher and policy adviser at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, specifically within the Department of Animals in Science and Society. Her work bridges scientific research, policy development, and practical implementation in animal welfare. She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Biology with a specialization in Behavioral Ecology (Cum laude) and completed her PhD in January 2025.

Her research focuses on improving animal welfare through innovative approaches, particularly in poultry farming systems. Kliphuis investigates how early-life interventions like light cycles during incubation and insect larvae enrichment during rearing can reduce fearfulness and feather pecking in laying hens. Her work combines laboratory research with practical collaboration with Dutch small-scale and organic poultry farmers to address real-world welfare challenges.

Her publication record shows consistent focus on laying hen welfare, with research spanning behavioral responses, cognitive abilities, physiological markers, and practical farming applications. Her most recent work examines how feeding fermented residual agricultural streams affects chicken and pig health within the VALORAGRO project. She also contributes to consumer perception studies regarding egg quality and responsible production practices across Europe.

Kliphuis serves as a Future Food Ambassador at Future Food Utrecht (FFU) since January 2026, where she emphasizes the role of animals in food systems through transdisciplinary collaboration. Previously, she led the 3Rs-Centre Utrecht Life Sciences, promoting Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal experiments. Her teaching activities include developing e-learning modules on humane endpoints and lecturing on evidence synthesis in 3R methods.

She is actively involved in professional organizations including the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE), where she served as a student representative and conference organizer. Her practical experience extends to project management, research coordination, and policy development, with a strong emphasis on translating scientific findings into actionable welfare improvements.