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  • PhD Funding Opportunities
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Find a PhD Supervisor

Dr Deborah Wells

School Of Psychology
Dr Deborah Wells

Dr Deborah Wells

School Of Psychology

My research concentrates on animal behaviour and welfare, with a particular focus on the domestic dog. Much of my work has been concerned with exploring the welfare of animals housed in captivity (e.g. zoos, rescue kennels) and finding ways of improving psychological well-being through the implementation of novel and scientifically tested enrichment strategies. Other research areas include pets and human health, behaviour problems in companion animals and laterality in animals.

Contact info

  • View Academic Profile
  • D.Wells@qub.ac.uk
  • +44 (0) 28 9097 4386

Research Interests

Open to PhD applications in:

  • The human animal bond
  • Animal welfare
  • Laterality in animals
  • Pets and human health

Make a PhD enquiry


Public outreach & key achievements

2018-2021 Pool of Experts member, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

2011- Editorial Advisory Board, Anthrozoos

2011- Editorial Advisory Board, Applied Animal Behaviour Science

2010-2011 Spokesperson for Petplan

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/01/22/paws-thought-female-cats-mostly-right-handed-males-lefties/ 

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17510-is-your-cat-left-or-right-pawed/ 

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/22/paw-choice-cats-show-right-and-left-hand-preferences 

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/nov/17/elephants-zoos-classical-music-elgar 

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2962-dogs-prefer-bach-to-britney/ 


Research students

PhD area Connecting people with wild animals; from hands off to hands on approaches
Name Alaina Macri
Years of study 2019-2022
Country Northern Ireland
   
PhD area Classical music and canine welfare
Name Rachael Kinnaird
Years of study 2018-2022
Country Northern Ireland
   
PhD area Lateralised behaviour in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus)
Name Louise McDowell
Years of study 2013-2017
Country Northern Ireland
   
PhD area The effect of visitors on the behaviour of zoo-housed chimpanzee and gorilla groups
Name Tara Cooper
Years of study 2007-2011
Country Northern Ireland
   
PhD area  Sensory enrichment for cats (Felis silvestris catus) housed in an animal rescue shelter
Name Sarah Ellis
Years of study 2003-2007
Country Northern Ireland
   
PhD area The effects of environmental enrichment on the behaviour and welfare of kennelled dogs
Name Lynne Graham
Years of study 1999-2003
Country Northern Ireland

 


Discover More

  • Faculty of Engineering and Physical Science
  • School of Psychology
  • Director, Animal Behaviour Centre

Postgraduate research
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