Animal & Veterinary Sciences

• General Inquiries

Rebecca initially studied animal science at Sydney University graduated with honours following a project in crocodile endocrinology. After graduating, Rebecca started a PhD with the CSIRO in Armidale investigating novel measures of welfare and cognition in sheep. During this time she collaborated with INRA in France.

After completing her PhD, Rebecca started here at CSU and has continued her research in animal welfare. Current research projects include animal cognition and cognitive bias; correlating stress physiology with behavioural and cognitive welfare measures; and how to make practical animal welfare improvements locally and in developing countries. 

While here at CSU, Rebecca has also broadened the species she works with to include sheep, cattle, pigs and domestic animals. 

Along with teaching and research, Rebecca is also the Australasian/African regional secretary of the International Society of Applied Ethology (http://www.applied-ethology.org/australia_new_zealand_phillipines_and_africa.html). In 2011 Rebecca was the Animal Welfare Science and Innovation award recipient.

Research Interests:

• Cognition and cognitive bias
• Relationships between physiological, behavioural and cognitive measures of welfare
• Improving animal welfare through education

Developing novel measures of animal welfare

My PhD was in this area and I have continued to research novel measures of animal welfare. I am currently focusing on how cognitive changes relate to the welfare of sheep and cattle, and physiological parameters that support this. 

Development of an animal welfare training program for overseas markets

Funded by the MLA, this project is generating an animal welfare training package for sheep and cattle in countries that receive our animals. 

Identifying and alleviating aversive stimuli in pigs

I am supervising a PhD student who is investigating how farmers identify ill and injured pigs, and developing best practice management to alleviate these conditions.