Pig welfare research recognised with top award

The two 2017 winners of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Animal Welfare Science have been announced.  A commemorative medal and award will be presented to Professors Sandra Edwards and Jeff Rushen at UFAW’s International Symposium on measuring animal welfare at Royal Holloway, University of London from the 27-29 of June.

The UFAW Medal recognises exceptional achievements of individual scientists who have made fundamental contributions to the advancement of animal welfare over a number of years. The award is open to individuals, anywhere in the world, whose research, teaching, service and advocacy has significantly benefited the welfare of animals. UFAW was very pleased this year to recognise the remarkable achievements of both Sandra and Jeff.

Professor Sandra Edwards of the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, at Newcastle University is a worldwide respected expert on pig welfare. Her research has focused on the major welfare issues facing the pig industry worldwide, seeking to better understand these problems at a scientific level and using this knowledge to develop approaches to enhance pig welfare that are feasible for the industry to readily adopt.  Many of the welfare projects she has led involve collaborations between government, academia, NGOs and industry seeking to work together for the benefit of animals. 

In addition she has given her services to provide expertise on farm animal welfare for influential policy/advisory committees such as Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the industry, and welfare assurance schemes.

Sandra has published more than 200 papers and book chapters and serves on the editorial board for a range of journals.  She has inspired young animal scientists and agriculturalists through her teaching animal welfare, how to measure and promote it.

Sandra was nominated for this award by Dr Catherine Douglas, a fellow lecturer at the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at Newcastle University who said: “with a global push towards sustainable intensification in animal production, it is reassuring that Sandra turned down retirement to continue championing the animals’ welfare.”