Raf Freire

Raf Freire is a Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury/Wodonga campus. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, a BSc(Hons) in Zoology and Psychology from the University of Bristol, and a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education from CSU. He is actively engaged in research, teaching, and professional service, with leadership roles including Presiding Officer of CSU’s Animal Ethics Committee and Chair of the NSW Animal Welfare Advisory Council.

• PhD, University of Edinburgh (1995)
• BSc(Hons), University of Bristol (1991)
• Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching, Charles Sturt University (2011)

Raf Freire's research focuses on the impact of human activities on animal behaviour and welfare across diverse species and contexts. His work spans captive and wild animals, with particular emphasis on fish, poultry, birds, and equines. He investigates how animals respond to environmental stressors, adapt to anthropogenic changes, and express cognitive and emotional states. His research integrates zoology and experimental psychology to improve animal welfare practices, conservation strategies, and ethical standards in agriculture and wildlife management.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in understanding animal affective states through cognitive bias and judgement bias paradigms, especially in fish and poultry. He also explores sensory ecology, particularly avian olfaction, and equine learning mechanisms. His work frequently addresses practical applications in aquaculture, restocking programs, and farm animal welfare.

• Extending knowledge of the development of fish survival behaviour to inform re-stocking programs: night-time behaviour of Murray cod and rainbow trout survival (Grant, Oct 2022)
• Parasites of Rainbow trout: impact on fish survival, other fish and human health (Grant, Feb 2023)
• The impact of anthropogenic stressors on the affective state of juvenile Murray cod (Grant, Jan 2022)

Raf Freire actively supervises honours and PhD students and has secured multiple competitive research grants. He contributes significantly to academic service as Associate Editor of Applied Animal Behaviour Science and Frontiers in Animal Science. His professional engagement extends to public outreach, with media contributions on topics such as free-range egg labeling, fish sentience, and ferret welfare. He collaborates nationally and internationally, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, and contributes to policy development through advisory roles.

He is associated with the Gulbali Research Institute at CSU, which focuses on integrated environmental and agricultural research. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land, responsible consumption, and quality education.