Meghan Barrett

Meghan Barrett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Indiana University and Founding Director of the Insect Welfare Research Society (2023). Her interdisciplinary work bridges neuroscience, physiology, and welfare science to address critical questions about insect experiences and ethical management practices.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Biological Sciences, Drexel University (March 2022)
• MS in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum, Drexel University (March 2022)
• BS in Biological Sciences (summa cum laude), second major in English/Creative Writing, honors minor, State University of New York at Geneseo (May 2016)

Dr. Barrett's research centers on insect welfare concerns in farmed insects (black soldier flies, mealworms, crickets) and neuroethological responses to cognitive demands. She investigates whether insects can feel pain, how nervous systems adapt to allometric constraints, and sensory responses to noxious stimuli through collaborations with philosophers, welfare scientists, and industry professionals. Her work establishes evidence-based frameworks for ethical insect management where trillions are farmed annually for food, feed, and industrial applications.

Recent publications demonstrate critical re-evaluation of foundational literature on insect pain and systematic analysis of current ethical practices in entomology. This research trajectory positions insect welfare as an emerging interdisciplinary field requiring neuroscience, behavioral ecology, and ethical philosophy integration to develop practical welfare assessment tools.

The Barrett Lab operates under "Boldly empirical, radically compassionate" principles, translating neurophysiological findings into actionable welfare standards for insect farmers and researchers. Their work addresses the urgent need for science-based policies in an industry managing trillions of insect livestock globally, focusing on improving positive states and reducing negative experiences through physiological and behavioral insights.