Dates: 15 May, 23 May, 7 October.
Venue: Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, building 1630, room 301 and QGG, C. F. Møllers Allé 3. building 1130-329 (Coffee room).
Join us for the following workshops:
The objective of this project is to facilitate a discussion on perspectives of animal welfare in animal breeding from the viewpoints of welfare scientists, geneticists/animal breeders, and key stakeholders in the livestock industries. The relationship between animal welfare and animal breeding is often positioned as adversarial and sometimes it can be challenging to collaborate. We want to better understand why these challenges might occur, and provide a roadmap for how to pursue animal welfare in genetics and breeding research in a way that promotes animal welfare from the perspective of welfare scientists, and is feasible from a geneticist perspective. This project involves a strategic series of workshops to facilitate constructive discourse on this topic and will ultimately result in a roadmap for improved collaboration between all stakeholders with regards to animal welfare in animal breeding.
Workshop 1 will involve a facilitated, constructive, cross-species, and critical discussion of how animal welfare scientists and animal geneticists, respectively, define animal welfare and envision animal welfare being incorporated into animal breeding strategies. The objective is to collect the opinions of experienced scientists to identify definitions, priorities, and perceived opportunities and challenges for incorporating animal welfare in animal breeding plans.
Workshop 2 will combine the outputs and participants from these parallel workshops and offer a facilitated discussion of the similarities and differences between the visions of the welfare scientists and geneticists. The main objective of this workshop will be to overcome any differences in vision to develop a roadmap or suggestion for defining animal welfare in animal breeding.
It is preferred that the participants of workshop 2 have also participated in 1A or 1B. For participation in only workshop 2, please contact the organizers: mily Leishman, AU-ANIVET (emily.leishman@anivet.au.dk) or Roos Zaalberg, QGG (roos.zaalberg@qgg.au.dk).
We expect these workshops to be a stimulating and relevant discussion of challenges and opportunities in these key animal research sectors, as well as an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues within and across disciplines. These events are free to attend for invited participants and include coffee breaks and lunch.
Register for workshop 1A on 23 May here.
Register for workshop 2 on 7 October here.
The project is a collaboration between AU-ANIVET (Emily Leishman and Catherine Williams) and AU-QGG (Roos Zaalberg). Any questions can be directed to Emily Leishman (emily.leishman@anivet.au.dk) or Roos Zaalberg (roos.zaalberg@qgg.au.dk).
This project is funded by the Danish Data Science Academy (DDSA) and is under funding administration by the Open Philanthropy Farm Animal Welfare Program.
