After graduating from Edinburgh Vet School Polly worked as a vet in mixed practice. After a period of time spent locuming in small animal practice, as a scientific editor and travelling she completed a residency in clinical research at Rossdales Equine Hospital, simultaneously completing a distance-learning MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health. Following this she worked in the research team for an NGO, producing an evidence base for animal welfare interventions in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. She went on to complete a PhD studying the economic and social factors that influence how foot-and-mouth disease is controlled in Kenya at local and national levels. She has experience in behavioural science, training students and professionals, and worked for Public Health England during the UK’s response to COVID-19. Currently, her role is as a technical specialist at the EuFMD, where she is responsible for supporting international efforts for improved livestock disease control. She also sits on BVA’s Policy Committee and World Horse Welfare’s International Committee. She has a special interest in understanding how animal healthcare systems function, and therefore how veterinary care can be strengthened.