Our Scientific Director Discusses WFP’s Methodology on Hear This Idea
Quantifying Animal Welfare: Our Scientific Director Discusses WFP’s Methodology on Hear This Idea
Our Scientific Director, Cynthia, recently joined Fin Moorhouse on Episode 81 of the Hear This Idea podcast to discuss the Welfare Footprint Project’s innovative approach to quantifying animal welfare. The conversation offered a comprehensive look at how we’re working to create standardized, evidence-based metrics for measuring animal experiences across different species and farming systems.
A Cross-Species Framework for Measuring Welfare
One of the central challenges in animal welfare assessment has been developing a methodology that allows for meaningful comparisons across different species and farming conditions. During the interview, Cynthia explains our approach using Cumulative Pain and Cumulative Pleasure metrics – a system that measures negative and positive experiences across four intensity levels. This framework considers both the intensity and duration of experiences, allowing us to assess cumulative welfare impacts throughout any period or an animal’s whole life.
Beyond Traditional Welfare Metrics
Traditional welfare assessment methods often rely on species-specific scoring systems that make cross-comparisons difficult. Our method takes a different approach, examining fundamental aspects of animal experiences that can be measured across species. By looking at indicators such as behavior, physiological responses, pharmacology and evolutionary biology, we can estimate welfare impacts with a transparent and evidence-based approach.
The Real-World Impact
The podcast discussion delves into practical applications of our methodology, from assessing laying hen welfare in different housing systems to evaluating welfare impacts in salmon farming. We also discuss how faster-growing breeds in modern farming affect animal welfare.
Looking Forward: Technology and Transparency
Cynthia also discusses exciting developments in our work, including:
- The potential of AI tools to help scale welfare assessments
- Whether the ability to feel pain is unique to big brained animals, or more widespread in the tree of life
- How fish farming compares to poultry and livestock farming
- Whether positive experiences like joy could make life worth living for some farmed animals
- How animal welfare advocates can learn from anti-corruption nonprofits
- Our upcoming project focusing on the Welfare Footprint of the Egg
This episode offers valuable insights into our methodology and vision for the future.
Listen to the full conversation here to learn more about how we’re working to create more evidence-based approaches to animal welfare assessment and improvement.
If you don’t know the ‘Hear This Idea‘ podcast yet, I highly recommend checking it out. Each episode dives deep into fascinating and thought-provoking conversations with researchers and practitioners working on some of the world’s most pressing problems. The hosts have a remarkable talent for making complex ideas accessible while preserving their rigour and depth. Take a look at their other episodes – they’re well worth your time!
Cynthia recording the Hear This Idea podcast from a makeshift workspace while traveling…