Helen Tedds

Helen Tedds is a Lecturer in Animal Welfare at Hartpury University, within the Department of Animal and Agriculture. She joined in 2021 to lead the MSc in Animal Welfare, Policy, and Legislation, a fully online programme. She holds a PhD from the University of Northampton and has extensive industry experience with the RSPCA, Guide Dogs, and the pet trade.

• PhD, University of Northampton (2015–2023)
• PGCE, University of Northampton (2008–2010)
• MSc, University of Northampton (2007–2010)
• Bachelor, Coventry University (2004–2007)

Helen's research focuses on animal welfare science, particularly companion animal behaviour, pet trade regulation, and animal welfare policy and law. She has developed expert system software to monitor online herpetofauna sales and investigates socio-economic drivers of the trade. Her pedagogic research explores online teaching, flipped learning, and interdisciplinary law education.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in using data-driven methods to assess reptile and amphibian welfare in commercial settings, evaluating public perceptions of regulation, and improving educational delivery in animal welfare. Themes include online trade monitoring, husbandry standards, and legislative awareness.

• Best Poster, 11 Jul 2024
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), July 2024

Helen has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate projects and continues to mentor students in applied research. She serves as Academic Consultant for the University of Hull and has acted as External Examiner for the University of Hull and University of Nottingham. She has received no explicit grant mentions but is active in research ethics as a member of the Hartpury Research Ethics Committee.

Helen is actively involved in professional networks including the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), where she is a LINKS Academic, and the Animal Welfare Research Network (AWRN), where she serves on the Early Career Researcher Committee as Animal Welfare Law Officer. She also contributes to SCAS (Society for Companion Animal Studies) Research Working Group.