Animals in Society: Human-Animal Interactions and Ethics

Image credit: Mike Mendl

Animal welfare science only makes sense within the context of human societies. Domestic animals are manipulated genetically, developmentally and environmentally by human activities, and those activities are profoundly influenced both directly and indirectly (e.g. through economic pressures) by human attitudes, knowledge, and related factors.

Human behaviour change is therefore a powerful route to improved animal welfare. We study the underlying psychological and societal influences on human attitudes to animals, and the ethical structures that influence how we treat them.