Joanne Edgar

Joanne Edgar is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol's Bristol Veterinary School. She holds a PhD from Bristol, an M.Sc. from the University of Edinburgh, and a B.Sc. from the University of Wales. Her research focuses on animal welfare, animal behaviour, particularly in chickens, and social behaviour in poultry.

Education:

• PhD (Bristol)
• M.Sc. (University of Edinburgh)
• B.Sc. (University of Wales)

Research Interests:

Dr. Edgar's research spans several critical areas of animal science, including prenatal and postnatal behavioural programming in laying hens, emotion and empathy in domestic chickens, and socially-mediated behaviours such as arousal and contagion within chick broods. She employs both behavioural and physiological methodologies to assess animal welfare, utilizing advanced techniques like conditioned place preference tests and thermal imaging for non-invasive stress assessment.

Her work significantly contributes to understanding maternal influences on offspring welfare, investigating how maternal care and vocalizations impact chick development and stress responses. Additionally, she explores the potential for positive welfare states in farm animals, developing frameworks like the resource tier system to enhance the quality of life for laying hens.

Scientific Contributions and Trends:

Dr. Edgar's publications from 2006 to 2021 reveal a consistent focus on animal welfare and behaviour, with a particular emphasis on poultry. Her research has evolved from foundational studies on welfare indicators and environmental preferences to more nuanced investigations into emotional states, empathy, and social dynamics in chickens. The progression of her work reflects a deepening understanding of complex behavioural phenomena in domesticated birds, integrating both neurobiological and psychological perspectives.

Labs and Teams:

Dr. Edgar is actively involved with the Bristol Veterinary School, collaborating with colleagues such as Dr Suzanne Held (Associate Professor in Behavioural Biology and Animal Welfare), Dr Liz Paul (Associate Professor in Comparative Psychology), and Professor Michael Mendl (Professor of Animal Behaviour and Welfare). These collaborations enhance interdisciplinary research efforts in animal welfare and behaviour, fostering a robust academic environment for both research and education.