UCS is committed to addressing critical issues in animal welfare, environmental sustainability and conservation through a wide range of academic research activities, advancing scientific understanding and equipping our students – the next generation of industry experts – with practical skills and knowledge.
Join us to influence industry practices, inform policy development and contribute to global efforts in conservation and sustainability as we expand our research initiatives, fostering innovation and collaboration to address emerging challenges in these fields.
Students and staff have published and presented to industry diverse academic research projects such as:
- Development of the Equine Carbon Calculator
- Improving Zoo Enclosures and Animal welfare
- Octopus Welfare and Husbandry
- Tree Responses to Climate Change
- Dietary Enrichment for Binturongs
- Application of the Canine Friendly Practice Initiative
- Influence and Impacts of Agricultural Land Management Schemes on Field Scale Economy
- PhD Research into Jack Snipe Behavioural Ecology using GPS Tracking
Latest Research
Quantifying the influence of cut tree branches on zoo giraffe behavior during and post browsing: A case study on five animals and four tree species
Paul Rose and Zoe Newnham
Journal of Veterinary Behaviour
Variation in wing and tail moult intensity in white-chinned petrels
Dr Oluwadunsin Adekola
Journal of Avian Biology
Research themes to inspire and influence:
Sustainable Land-Based Systems & Agri‑Tech Innovation
Explore sustainable agriculture through vertical farming, trial research plots, robotic milking and regenerative practices, gaining insight into climate-positive solutions and advanced technologies.
Previous projects include:
- Influence and Impacts of Agricultural
- Land Management Schemes on Field Scale Economy
- Development of the Equine Carbon Calculator
Animal Behaviour, Welfare & Human‑Animal Interactions
Study everything from zoo and aquarium husbandry to equine performance and octopus welfare, using state-of-the-art labs and living collections.
Previous projects include:
- Application of the Canine Friendly Practice Initiative
- Octopus Welfare and Husbandry
- Improving Zoo Enclosures and Animal Welfare
Wildlife Ecology, Conservation & Environmental Monitoring
Immerse yourself in habitat restoration, species monitoring and environmental research using drones and bioacoustics.
Previous projects include:
- PhD Research into Jack Snipe Behavioural Ecology using GPS Tracking
- Tree Responses to Climate Change