AWRN-Workshop on “Novel Methods of Human Behaviour Change for Improving Animal Welfare”
Date: 12/03/2021
Online
This two-day workshop on “Novel Methods of Human Behaviour Change for Improving Animal Welfare” will now take place online on Friday 12th February (Session 1) and Friday 12th March (Session 2).
One of the major challenges faced by animal welfare scientists is human behaviour. Understanding the reasons why individuals act or fail to act to protect animal welfare is key. Behaviour change frameworks were originally developed within the field of health psychology. With the help of experienced Health Psychologists, this workshop aims to provide a framework for animal welfare scientists and other stakeholders to develop human behaviour change interventions, relevant to their research area, that are replicable and underpinned by psychological theory.
Session 1 – Participants will be welcomed and given an introduction to the workshop. The plenary talk will be delivered by Dr Olga Perski, a Research Associate at the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Health at UCL. Dr Perski is a member of the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change, a world-renowned Centre, which promotes the science and practice of human behaviour change. We will also have talks from a number of researchers that have designed and implemented HBC strategies to solve animal health and welfare problems. Following this, key HBC frameworks will be introduced and you will be provided with the materials you need to start working on an intervention plan of your own. This includes three video tutorials and a worksheet for you to complete.
Practical task – In between sessions, you will be asked to complete a HBC plan of your own. This should be submitted by the 26th of February. You will receive feedback on this plan prior to session 2.
Session 2 – The second day of the workshop will consist of talks on the common pitfalls of HBC plans and some example plans will be looked at in detail (with permission). There will be more talks and the session will be rounded off with an Expert panel Q&A.
Participants are required to be a member of the Animal Welfare Research Network in order to attend this event, however membership is free and we welcome applications from academics and stakeholders in animal welfare, please see our membership page for more details.
Given the in-depth nature of this workshop, there will be a selection process for places; you will need to be able to attend both days and commit to the practical task in between as well. People who will make use of this technique in their research or work will be prioritised.
Please note that due to very high levels of interest registration for this event has now been closed.
