Lene Juul Pedersen

Lene Juul Pedersen serves as Professor and Section Leader of the Behavior, Stress and Animal Welfare (BSW) Research Group at Aarhus University's Department of Animal Science. Her primary affiliation spans interdisciplinary collaborations with engineering experts, industry partners, and European research consortia focused on advancing animal welfare within modern livestock systems.

Her research program centers on animal behavior and welfare in pig production, with growing emphasis on sustainability integration. Current work investigates trade-offs between welfare outcomes and environmental/economic dimensions through precision livestock farming technologies. Key focus areas include space allowance optimization, organic production systems, and climate-smart solutions that position animal welfare as a core sustainability metric rather than a separate concern.

Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent thematic progression toward holistic sustainability frameworks. Early work established welfare impacts of space density and enrichment, while current research connects these to meat quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic viability. The publication trajectory shows increasing European collaboration and methodological sophistication through sensor technologies and on-farm validation studies.

Professor Pedersen directs substantial research infrastructure through active grants including EUPAHW (2024-2030), SowSo (2023-2027), and SOS (2023-2026), demonstrating sustained funding for welfare-integrated production systems. Her group maintains strong industry partnerships that translate findings into practical tools like the TailBiteAdvice ICT platform and greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

She leads the Behavior, Stress and Animal Welfare Research Group at Aarhus University's Tjele facilities, where experimental work bridges fundamental welfare assessment with precision farming implementation. The group's interdisciplinary approach combines behavioral science, engineering, and sustainability metrics to develop commercially viable welfare solutions for modern pig production.