Dr Mark James Learmonth Email & Phone Number

I am a doctor of Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare (PhD), specifically with zoo-housed animals. Animal welfare is paramount for zoological institutions, especially for the future of captive animals and in situ conservation programmes.My research focuses on attempting to validate and quantify positive affective experiences in some animals that arise through human interactions. For some individuals, human contact can be incredibly enriching and rewarding, leading to better overall quality of life.My research hopes to open the door for other researchers to study the subjective affective experiences animals may have when exposed to humans, and promote those interactions with a demonstrably positive effect on the animal. This all leads to zoo-housed animals approaching the very positive end of the quality of life spectrum- that is, leading a life worth living, or a good life, that is enriched, safe, and offers the animals freedom to express their behaviours and have perceived behavioural control in terms of choice (although as guardians of these animals many well-being choices are still directly under our responsibility). I am a seasoned zoo presenter, and am capable under a range of public speaking engagements. Animal science enthusiast and communicator.I am also a scholar of animal ethics and philosophy.