معرفی
Siobhan Abeyesinghe is an Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science and Head of the RVC Animal Welfare Science and Ethics group at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). She holds a BSc from the University of Newcastle (1994), an MSc from the University of Edinburgh (1995), and a PhD from the University of Bristol (2000). Her research focuses on poultry welfare, cognition, and welfare assessment methodologies, with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations in animal management. Key projects include investigating broiler chicken welfare across breeds, improving welfare in cage-free systems, and advancing humane slaughter practices. She leads collaborative initiatives with industry partners (e.g., Innovate UK-funded projects like Envirobot) and has received the Worshipful Company of Poulters' 2002 Prize for poultry science contributions. Her teaching spans animal welfare science, ethics, and veterinary education, supported by a Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Education (Distinction) and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
Her research interests bridge fundamental and applied science, addressing welfare challenges in poultry, companion animals, and laboratory species. Current projects include evaluating slower-growing broiler breeds' welfare-sustainability trade-offs and developing AI-driven monitoring systems for poultry welfare. She also explores canine welfare, such as quality of life in dogs with vision loss. External roles include Council Member of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare and Trustee for the Humane Slaughter Association.
- Education:
- BSc Animal Science, University of Newcastle (1994)
- MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, University of Edinburgh (1995)
- PhD, University of Bristol (2000)
- External Roles:
- Council Member, Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
- Trustee, Humane Slaughter Association
- Scientific Research Committee Member, British Hen Welfare Trust
- External Examiner, University of Bristol BScVS
Her work emphasizes translating science into practice, with public engagement projects like the National Science Week 'Inside Chicken Run' event and collaborations with BBC documentaries. She supervises postgraduate students focusing on topics like regenerative poultry systems, broiler welfare, and canine vision loss. Her research has informed farm animal welfare policy, including contributions to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) Report on Education and Knowledge Application.
