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Associate Professor of Zoo Animal Welfare, Nottingham Trent University

Sam has both practical (zoo animal keeping) and managerial zoo-industry expertise as well as an academic standing in zoo animal research.

Sam’s research impacts various themes within the zoo industry, predominantly animal behaviour & welfare but falling into the following sub-themes:
- The impacts of human-animal interactions (HAI) and human-animal relationships (HAR) in zoos,
- Zoo animal husbandry and management techniques to investigate impacts and improve captive welfare.
- The impact of zoo legislation and zoo Associations on welfare and management
- Zoo management and processes to improve animal welfare and collection planning.

Sam is a Committee member of the Animal Records Working Group for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the Research Advisor for the Charity ‘Wild Welfare’, a member of the ‘Global Wildlife Welfare Working Group’ and sit as the Welfare Expert on the Zoo’s Executive Committee as part of Defra, advising the UK Government on UK zoo-matters including re-writing the Secretary State Standards for Modern Zoo Practice and the Zoo Licensing Act.

Sam offers consultancy expertise in:
- Zoo Animal Welfare: includes but not limited to exhibit/environment design, assessment, animal-based measures, evidence-based practice.
- Zoo Education Provision - including but not limited to setting up zoo education programs, provision of education material, signage.
- Zoo Animal Behaviour – assessment and dealing with behavioural issues, environmental enrichment provision & assessment.
- Zoo Legislation (UK and EU) – adherence to standards and legislative requirements, zoo inspection compliance.

Experience

  • –present
    Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University