Hartpury University’s third annual lecture will be led by Professor Vicky Melfi, who will discuss her research on human-animal interactions and their impact on animal welfare, conservation, and the planet.
The free-to-attend lecture will take place at Hartpury University on 5 December, with free mulled wine, mince pies and plenty of festive cheer. The lectures are designed to offer a community-friendly take on a topical area of interest in one of the institution’s specialist industries.
During the evening, Professor Vicky Melfi will talk of her work with charming Sulawesi macaques, who were the catalysts in broadening her approach to animal welfare and conservation, through animal focussed activities, to embracing human-animal interactions and the need to consider, animals, people and the planet holistically. She’ll shed light on how these creatures inspired her conservation journey and career.
Vicky has worked in and alongside the zoo and aquarium profession for over 30 years, wearing many different hats, as a zookeeper, educator, volunteer coordinator and researcher. Through these many roles and their associated activities, Vicky has developed an engaging and inclusive science communication style, as she strives to reveal the scientist in us all – it only takes ‘interest’.
Over the years, Vicky has had the privilege of holding various roles within zoos, conservation organisations, and academic institutions across the globe. She has had the opportunity to collaborate with practitioners, academics, and students, enriching her understanding of the field and contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
At Hartpury University, Professor Melfi strives to build the next generation of inclusive researchers, conservationists, and protectors of animals and the communities that coexist with them. The lecture will inspire and empower, demonstrating that all it takes is curiosity, creativity, courage and importantly kindness to save the planet by improving human-animal interactions.
The event will take place on 5 December from 6.30pm at Hartpury University’s Mark Davison Centre 1 (MDC1). Members of the public can attend the event for free but will need to register online.
Research at Hartpury
Hartpury’s calendar of research activities and knowledge exchange goes from strength to strength. In July 2024, Hartpury University staff, students, and invited guests celebrated the end of a busy academic year at the institution’s annual Research Conference. Equine students from across the country also attended Hartpury for the Alltech Hartpury Conference where equine welfare research featured prominently.
Research carried out by Hartpury University, submitted as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 process, was recognised as ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, placing Hartpury amongst a prestigious group of well-established institutions. The REF is a UK-wide assessment of the quality of research in universities undertaken by expert review panels and is undertaken on behalf of the Government by the funding councils for higher education.
