My PhD work was related to abnormal (stereotypic) behaviour in captive animals (horses), and I maintain an interest in this area of research, acting as an editor for Journal of Veterinary Behaviour. I also worked for 2 years at the Royal Veterinary College in the Centre for Animal Welfare.
My research is strongly grounded in the concept of the 3Rs (refinement, reduction, replacement) of animals in research, and in particular about using appropriate experimental design and statistics to reduce unnecessary usage of live animals through underpowered, poorly designed/poorly controlled experiments. I see this not only as an ethical responsibility for researchers in the life sciences, but also an essential component of good science. On the basis of this expertise, I sit on the Animals in Science Committee (ASC), a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Home Office to provide independent advice to the Government on the use of animals in scientific procedures, advise the Animal Welfare Ethical Review Bodies on good practice and exchange information with other national bodies within the European Union.