- BERG - University of Stirling Mailing Lists

Final BERG meeting and party - 25th April, 2018
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

Dear BERGers The last BERG meeting and party is scheduled for Wednesday 25th April - and we shall use this meeting as a celebration of another successful academic year of BERG, and the end of the taught component of the Human Animal Interaction Masters. Please bring a wee something to share - sweet or savoury, alcoholic or a softie, and stay a bit longer if you can. Our speaker will be Angelica Lippi, who is visiting from the University of Florence and has been doing a placement with Paws for Progress. Her short talk is entitled "New perspective on the methodological aspects in Animal Assisted Interventions: insights from elderly, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease patients" Hope to see you there - 5.30pm in the Psychology Common room as usual. Best, Hannah Hannah M. Buchanan-Smith Professor, Behaviour and Evolution Research Group (BERG) Room 3A79, Cottrell Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling, FK9 4LA Scotland Tel: 01786 467674 Fax: 01786 467641 E-mail: h.m.buchanan-smith(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:h.m.buchanan-smith@stir.ac.uk> Home page: https://rms.stir.ac.uk/converis-stirling/person/11925 http://marmosetcare.com/ http://www.247animalwelfare.eu/index.html Recently launched: http://refiningdogcare.com/ http://www.refiningdogcare.com/images/RDC%20Flyer.pdf

1 0

BERG talk this week / April 18th
by Paxton Culpepper 16 Apr '18

16 Apr '18

Dear BERG folks, This week we have PhD candidate Jade Hooper giving her interesting talk entitled: Exploring Social and Locality Variations of Dog Bites in Scotland Using Administrative Data Sources [cid:image001.jpg@01D3D588.A2117D00] Abstract Rates of hospital admissions due to dog bite incidents have risen considerably over the last 10 years (HSCIC, 2015). Of particular concern is the finding that hospital admissions for dog bites are highest in the most deprived areas across England and Wales (HSCIC, 2014; 2015). However, there is a paucity of research which aims to explore why this may be or how this issue may be addressed. Whilst there is a public interest in these figures in Scotland, thus far there has been no rigorous empirical investigation into social inequalities in dog related injuries. Through an innovative and ambitious analysis of linked by-product data, the current study hopes to address this gap. The study will use a range of data sources to examine both individual and area-based characteristics which may help uncover some of the reasons why these patterns may exist, and how they can be addressed. Health data from dog bite incidents will be requested and linked with census records. Microchip data will also be requested in a bid to account for dog populations which in the past have not be considered when links with social disadvantage and dog bite injuries have been found. Through this analysis, the study aims to help inform policy for the reduction of dog bites and aid in effective identification and targeting of interventions for areas and individuals most at risk. This presentation will discuss some of the difficulties associated with the research area and specific challenges related to the project. The floor will then be opened to allow for more general discussion surrounding the subject area. Start time 5:30pm sharp - drinks and munchies provided. We hope to see you there! Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

1 0

Extra BERG meeting and party - 25th April, 2018
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 16 Apr '18

16 Apr '18

Dear BERGers This week we have Jade Hooper giving a presentation on "Exploring Social and Locality Variations of Dog Bites in Scotland Using Administrative Data Sources" Paxton will circulate details. The last BERG meeting and party is scheduled for Wednesday 25th April - and we shall use this meeting as a celebration of another successful academic year of BERG, and the end of the taught component of the Human Animal Interaction Masters. Please bring a wee something to share - sweet or savoury, alcoholic or a softie, and stay a bit longer if you can. Our speaker will be Angelica Lippi, who is visiting from the University of Florence and has been doing a placement with Paws for Progress. Her short talk is entitled "The effects of the human-animal interaction on psycho-physical wellbeing in patients with mild cognitive impairment" Hope to see you there - 5.30pm in the Psychology Common room as usual. Best, Hannah Hannah M. Buchanan-Smith Professor, Behaviour and Evolution Research Group (BERG) Room 3A79, Cottrell Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling, FK9 4LA Scotland Tel: 01786 467674 Fax: 01786 467641 E-mail: h.m.buchanan-smith(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:h.m.buchanan-smith@stir.ac.uk> Home page: https://rms.stir.ac.uk/converis-stirling/person/11925 http://marmosetcare.com/ http://www.247animalwelfare.eu/index.html Recently launched: http://refiningdogcare.com/ http://www.refiningdogcare.com/images/RDC%20Flyer.pdf

1 0

Updated version of the Guidelines for the use of Animals in Behavioural Research and Teaching
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

Dear BERGers....in case you missed this! An updated version of the Guidelines for the use of Animals in Behavioural Research and Teaching can be found here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347217303214 ASAB - News from the Ethics committee Following six months consultation with our colleagues on the Animal Care Committee at the Animal Behavior Society, we are pleased to inform the membership that an updated version of the Guidelines for the use of Animals in Behavioural Research and Teaching have been released. The updated version was included in the January issue of Animal Behaviour, and they are freely available to download from ASAB's web pages (http://www.asab.org/ethics/) Further, I would like to let you know that in addition to our endorsement of the ARRIVE guidelines, the Ethics (ASAB) and Animal Care (ABS) Committees have also agreed to support the use of the PREPARE Guidelines. PREPARE have been designed to assist researchers when they are at planning stage of experiments. Further information on PREPARE can be found in the 2018 version of the Guidelines, and via this web link (https://norecopa.no/prepare) Domhnall Jennings, Secretary to the Ethical Committee Hannah M. Buchanan-Smith Professor, Behaviour and Evolution Research Group (BERG) Room 3A79, Cottrell Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling, FK9 4LA Scotland Tel: 01786 467674 Fax: 01786 467641 E-mail: h.m.buchanan-smith(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:h.m.buchanan-smith@stir.ac.uk> Home page: https://rms.stir.ac.uk/converis-stirling/person/11925 http://marmosetcare.com/ http://www.247animalwelfare.eu/index.html Recently launched: http://refiningdogcare.com/ http://www.refiningdogcare.com/images/RDC%20Flyer.pdf

1 0

BERG Talk for April 11
by Paxton Culpepper 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

Dear BERG folks, This week at BERG we have our very own Dr Eoin O'Sullivan giving his interesting talk entitled: Searching for a psychological science of social learning in the 20th century's schools of behaviour and cognition The field of social learning research has a long history in psychology, beginning with Edward Thorndike's early studies of dogs, cats, and chickens, and culminating in a modern, thriving, multi-disciplinary science. While the past 20 years has seen interest in the field surge, researchers are still largely guided by the theoretical schools of cognitive and behavioural science developed in the early and mid-20th century. Here, I will reflect upon how the cognitive, behaviourist, and ethological schools have guided my exploration of social learning mechanisms in human and nonhuman primates. Specifically, I will focus on how these perspectives have informed my approach to the ontogeny of imitative ability in children and capuchin monkeys. I will also expand on how lessons learned from these theoretical schools can guide future work in the science of social learning. We look forward to seeing you all there at 5:30pm sharp! Drinks and munchies provided. ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

1 0

This week's BERG (April 4th)
by Paxton Culpepper 03 Apr '18

03 Apr '18

Dear BERGers, This week we have Dr Joana Coleoptera (see https://www.stir.ac.uk/people/37177) giving a presentation entitled: Where to go? Impact of global environmental changes on African apes (Abstract below). **As Hannah mentioned last week, we shall be going to the Meadowpark (http://www.themeadowparkstirling.co.uk/) for supper after the seminar. Please contact Hannah A.S.A.P. if you would like to join us (h.m.buchanan-smith(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:h.m.buchanan-smith@stir.ac.uk>). Abstract Recent global food crises have greatly contributed towards the intensification and major expansion of tropical agriculture. Sub-Saharan Africa is suffering from widespread food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty, and is the region expected to experience the greatest human population growth in coming decades. Moreover, it is a region with a considerable proportion of land potentially suitable for agriculture. Globally, Africa is the continent most vulnerable to the effects of climate change (CC). Here, future droughts and other extreme weather events are likely to prompt the relocation of agricultural areas into more humid areas, which are rich in biodiversity, including African ape populations (AAPs). A key question is how to mitigate the effects of future CC and land-use/cover changes (LULCC) on AAPs by maintaining connectivity across landscapes, whilst guaranteeing food security and improving livelihoods of local populations. This project will a) make a fundamental contribution to understanding the effects of future CC on AAPs, b) studies on AAPs, carbon stocks and food security employing an integrative, interdisciplinary approach so far are lacking, and c) provide compelling arguments for the relevance of aligning biodiversity conservation with sustainable intensification of agriculture and CC that can benefit biodiversity and rural populations. 5:30pm sharp! Drinks and munchies provided. ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

1 0

Stirling Conference on Psychology, April 4th 2018
by Paxton Culpepper 29 Mar '18

29 Mar '18

Dear all, In case you didn't know, the final year psychology students will be presenting posters, giving oral presentations, and giving talks about their chosen topics and placement experiences. This will take place throughout the day (April 4th) and in multiple locations in Cottrell. See the attached poster for more specific details. Please try to come out and support our final year undergraduates if you can - they've worked very hard to be where they are! Best, Paxton

1 0

FW: Animal Domestication lecture
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

Please find attached details of a public lecture on Animal Domestication – that may be of interest to some. Edinburgh 5th April, 5.30pm Pathways to Animal Domestication: A Continuing Journey Melinda A. Zeder Lecture Abstract Animal domestication represents a milestone in the history of humans, and of the planet we inhabit. Exploring the long history of the diverse and continuing pathways that humans and animal traveled into domestication, learning how and when they first embarked on these journeys, tracing the twists and turns they took along the way is vital to understanding where we come from, how we arrived where we are today, and where these pathways will lead us into the future. This lecture looks at the universal features of animal domestication and its impact on animal domesticates. It brings together archaeology, genetics, and animal sciences to trace the pathways that animals and their human partners have followed and continue to follow into domestication. It explores some of the issues that must be confronted – ethical, ecological, social – as we continue to push the frontiers of animal domestication and reshape the lives of all animals living within an increasingly pervasive human sphere. https://www.ed.ac.uk/arts-humanities-soc-sci/news-events/lectures/munro-lec…

1 0

Practice run of EISF event at BERG meeting tonight
by Christine Caldwell 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

Hi all, I just wanted to send a quick reminder about the early start for tonight's meeting (5pm). My lab group are doing a practice run of a session that we will be running next week at Edinburgh Science Festival, which has been given a 90 minute slot. For tonight, I'll be trimming down the introduction/theoretical background, so I'm hoping to keep it to more like an hour, but that's still a bit longer than usual obviously, and hence the early start. However, if anyone is able to stick around a bit longer for the usual drinks, nibbles and chat afterwards then we'll be really grateful to hear any feedback you have that might help us improve it before the real thing. Please do come along and be our guinea pigs! We would really appreciate it. We did a first run-through on Monday with some MSc students and they seemed to really enjoy it, so hopefully it will be fun for you as well. We'll be in the Psychology common room (3A94) as usual, starting at 5pm. Drinks and nibbles will be provided! Thanks, and hope to see you later. Christine.

1 0

FW: Registration and call for abstracts: Animal Welfare Across Borders - Hong Kong, 25-26th October 2018
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 27 Mar '18

27 Mar '18

As UFAW kindly fund our BERG meetings, I agree to share details of their meetings with you - but I fear Hong Kong may be a bit far for most of us..... From: Stephen Wickens <wickens(a)ufaw.org.uk> Sent: 27 March 2018 13:16 To: Hannah Buchanan-Smith <h.m.buchanan-smith(a)stir.ac.uk> Subject: Registration and call for abstracts: Animal Welfare Across Borders - Hong Kong, 25-26th October 2018 Dear Hannah, Grateful if you share the folllowing update with your colleagues: ANIMAL WELFARE ACROSS BORDERS: A meeting to bridge cultural gaps to advance animal welfare worldwide. Hong Kong, 25 and 26 October 2018 Registration and abstract submissions now open for this meeting. This two-day meeting endeavours to increase our knowledge of the different ways animal welfare is understood and addressed around the world. The aim is to develop ideas for local animal welfare initiatives, supported by local science projects, in order to progress animal welfare at a global level, while taking cultural and environmental differences and constraints into consideration. In addition, the meeting will attempt to highlight lessons that could be learned by developing and developed countries alike. Socioeconomics, climate, politics, religious and cultural practices, history, access to technology and availability of veterinary expertise are all factors that affect how people view animals and are reflected in regional differences in how animals are treated. As a result, attitudes of consumers, animal guardians, farmers and politicians to animal welfare are often different between regions. These differences will need to be addressed to efficiently promote animal welfare across the globe. In addition, implications for people and the environment will have to be considered. Indeed, differences in attitude towards animal welfare raise the question whether, instead of implementing or adapting standards developed for production systems of developed nations, animal welfare could be improved more efficiently by putting it into a local context. Climate and climate change, resource availability, and social and cultural factors can create specific local opportunities and constraints for improving animal welfare. This meeting will feature the following keynote speakers: * Dr Judy MacArthur Clark * Dr Birte Nilsen * Dr Johnson Chiang For details on registration and submission of abstracts please visit: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/cvmls/ufaw2018 Many thanks. Stephen Dr Stephen Wickens Universities Federation for Animal Welfare The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN, UK Email: wickens(a)ufaw.org.uk<mailto:wickens@ufaw.org.uk> Direct Tel: +44(0)1276 500880; Office: +44(0)1582 831818 (tel), 831414 (fax) www.ufaw.org.uk Facebook: Universities Federation for Animal Welfare - UFAW<http://www.facebook.com/ufaw.org.uk> ; Twitter: @UFAW_1926<https://twitter.com/ufaw_1926> The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) is an UK charity that works to develop and promote improvements in the welfare of all animals through scientific and educational activity worldwide. Registered Charity No 207996 (Registered in England) and Company Limited by Guarantee No 579991 Science in the service of animal welfare

1 0