UFAW Animal Welfare Conference

York Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, 30th June 2010

Animal welfare is a cross-disciplinary area of science that is attracting increasing interest and funding and is being widely employed to guide and inform legislation and practice relating to the use of animals. Much, however, still remains to be understood. As part of its commitment to improving the way we understand and care for animals, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare is holding the second of a series of one-day conferences on ‘Recent advances in animal welfare science’ on 30th June 2010.

Programme details:
Speakers who will be contributing talks to the conference include the following:

• Burton K, Hall C, Wells C and Billett E (Nottingham Trent University, UK)
The Validation Of Infrared Thermography As A Non-Invasive Tool To Assess Welfare In The Horse (Equus caballus)

• Hänninen L, Hokkanen AH, Pastell M, de Passille AM, Rushen J, Hepola H and Raussi S (University of Helsinki and MTT Agri-Food Finland, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada)
Sleep As A Welfare Measure?

• Hothersall R, Caplen G, Murrell J, Nasr M, Nicol C, Waterman-Pearson A and Weeks C (University of Bristol, UK)
Development Of New Techniques To Assess Pain In Domestic Chickens

• Ribó O, Candiani D and Alpigiani I (European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Italy)
Development Of The EFSA Guidance On Risk Assessment For Animal Welfare

• Sherlock L, Cheng Z, Wathes CM and Wathes DC (Royal Veterinary College, UK)
Using Microarrays To Examine Production-Based Stress And Associated Welfare Problems In The Broiler Chicken

• Silva C, Laing N, Mellor DJ and Ellis K (University of Glasgow and Clyde Veterinary Group, Lanark, UK)
Using Abattoir Surveillance To Quantify Welfare Problems Associated With Tagging Sheep's Ears

• Walsh C, Douglas C, Bédué A, Bateson M and Edwards S (Newcastle University, UK and ENITA de Clermont Ferrand, France)
Tests Of Cognitive Bias Can Inform On Pigs Subjective Affective State

There will be a poster session during the lunch break which will feature over 40 presentations. Further details, including the full programme of speakers and a registration form, can be found on the UFAW website. Registration is from 8.30, with talks starting at 9.30 and ending at 17.50.

Other details:
UFAW intends these conferences on recent advances (the first of which was held in 2008) to become a regular event that provide a forum at which the broad community of scientists, veterinarians and others concerned with animal welfare can come together to share knowledge and practice, discuss advances and exchange ideas and views. As part of this commitment, and to ensure that the meeting is accessible to widest range of those with an interest in animal welfare, UFAW aims to keep the registration fee to attend the conferences low, this year it is just £20. Note: This price includes refreshments but delegates will need to make their own arrangements for lunch.

Venue:
The conference is being held in York, in the medieval Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Fossgate YO1 9XD. Located next to the pedestrianised centre of York and built in 1357, the timbered Hall and Undercroft make up one of the best preserved medieval guild halls in the world.

Background to UFAW:
UFAW, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, is an internationally-recognised, independent, scientific and educational animal welfare charity. The organization promotes high standards of welfare for farm, companion, laboratory and captive wild animals and those with which we interact in the wild.

Contact Details:
Stephen Wickens, Development Officer, UFAW, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8AN, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1582 831818; Fax: +44 (0) 1582 831414; Website: www.ufaw.org.uk; Email: wickens@ufaw.org.uk

Offre d’emploi d’enquêteur à la Protection mondiale des animaux de ferme

Type de contrat : Contrat de 4 à 6 mois renouvelable. Possibilité de CDI au terme du contrat.
Lieu : Le poste est basé au siège de l’association, à Metz, en Moselle. Mais environ deux semaines pas mois de déplacement sont à prévoir.

La Protection mondiale des animaux de ferme (PMAF) recherche un/une enquêteur(trice).

Vos missions consisteront à :

• Inspecter des élevages et identifier les pratiques bénéfiques ou préjudiciables au bien-être des animaux.
• Visiter les marchés aux bestiaux et les centres de rassemblement d’animaux de ferme. Constater les conditions de détention et de manipulation des animaux.
• Visiter les abattoirs et identifier les pratiques bénéfiques ou préjudiciables au bien-être des animaux.
• Suivre des camions transportant des animaux, depuis leur lieu de départ jusqu’à leur destination finale. Signaler aux forces de l’ordre les infractions constatées.
• Dans le cadre de vos enquêtes, filmer et photographier les pratiques, les modes d’élevage de transport et d’abattage, bénéfiques ou préjudiciables au bien-être des animaux.
• Effectuer une sélection de rushs parmi les images tournées, rédiger le script de vidéos et participer à leur montage.
• Dans le cadre de vos enquêtes, relever les infractions à la réglementation qui protège les animaux d’élevage.
• Organiser ou participer à des enquêtes, en partenariat avec d’autres associations françaises ou internationales.
• Préparer les enquêtes de terrain en effectuant les recherches nécessaires sur les lieux à visiter et les moments les plus opportuns pour s’y rendre, de façon à ce que le temps des enquêteurs soit utilisé de façon optimale.
• Coordonner le travail des enquêteurs free lance auxquels a recours l’association.
• Rédiger des rapports d’enquête et organiser leur distribution auprès des parties concernées : Ministère de l’Agriculture, Direction départementale des services vétérinaires, Commission européenne, préfecture, organisations professionnelles, chefs des établissements visités etc. Assurer un suivi des enquêtes menées par l’association. Au besoins, organiser des réunions avec les professionnels ou les autorités.
• Développer une procédure efficace de classement et d’archivage des rapports d’enquête.
• Effectuer des rappels de la réglementation qui protége les animaux auprès des forces de l’ordre (gendarmes, policiers etc.) notamment concernant la réglementation qui protége les animaux en cours de transport.
• Participer à des contrôles ou à des inspections aux côtés des forces de l’ordre.
• Rédiger ou participer à la rédaction ou à la réalisation de supports pédagogiques destinés à faire connaître la réglementation qui protége les animaux et à favoriser son application
• Rédiger ou participer à la rédaction ou à la réalisation de supports pédagogiques à l’attention des professionnels afin de favoriser de bonnes pratiques d’élevage, de transport et d’abattage.
• Entretenir des relations constructives avec les professionnels qui travaillent avec les animaux d’élevage, afin de faire évoluer leurs pratiques vers une meilleure prise en compte du bien-être animal.
• Répondre aux interviews de journalistes et les accueillir à vos côtés lors du déroulement des enquêtes.
• Apporter soins et réconfort aux animaux malades, blessés ou en état de misère physiologiques que vous rencontrerez dans le cadre de vos enquêtes. Les transporter ou organiser leur transport dans un lieu approprié où ils pourront recevoir les soins appropriés.
• Participer à des réunions avec les professionnels, les autorités, les autres associations, représenter l’association lors de salons, conférences etc.
• Attirer l’attention de l’association sur les lacunes de la réglementation française et européenne qui protége les animaux et proposer des améliorations.
• Gérer le budget annuel alloué aux enquêtes de terrain.

Qualité recherchées :

• Il est impératif de parler anglais, et de préférence une autre langue (allemand, espagnol, italien etc. )
• Etre bien organisé.
• Capacité à travailler seul et en équipe.
• Etre bon rédacteur.
• Etre bon orateur.
• Etre très bon conducteur.
• Etre dynamique, diplomate, déterminé, courageux et témoigner un réel intérêt à la cause des animaux d’élevage.
• Bonne résistance physique et être en mesure de faire face à de longues journées de travail.

Profil recherché :

Niveau d’étude supérieur souhaité. Une formation et/ou une expérience dans le domaine agronomique, vétérinaire, éthologique, la conduite d’élevage etc. serait vivement appréciée.
Une expérience au sein des mouvements de défense des animaux serait un atout. Permis de conduire depuis au moins deux ans.

Salaire

Négociable selon expérience et formation plus tickets restaurants.

Adressez une lettre motivée avec photo et CV, par courrier ou e mail à :

Par mail : Contacter la PMAF

Par courrier : PMAF- BP 80 242 - 8 ter en Chandellerue - 57006 METZ Cedex 1

Demonstrator reliability as an influence on social learning in fowl

Humans and other animals must constantly make decisions about how best to respond in a wide range of situations. To decide effectively, they need information about the various alternatives available. Individuals can gather relevant details themselves (‘private’ information), or they can garner information from the communicatory signals or behavioural cues of others (‘social’ or ‘public’ information). In all cases, individuals would benefit by taking into account the reliability of both the information and the information provider. While some research has examined the importance of reliability when utilising private information, far less is known about how it affects the use of social or public information. A few previous studies have demonstrated that decision-makers adjust their behaviour depending on the category (e.g. sex, dominance status) of the information provider. Domestic fowl, for example, learn more from dominant demonstrators but it is unclear why this is so. Dominant birds may command attention for a variety of reasons. We plan to investigate whether individuals monitor their group-mates over time, and thus assess reliability on an individual level. We will then examine whether prior knowledge about the reliability of particular group-mates affects social learning. Fowl offer an ideal opportunity to examine this issue in detail because they live in small, stable social groups in which individuals interact repeatedly and the monitoring of group-mates is known to occur. Moreover, it is possible to collect not only behavioural indicators of learning and assessment, but also non-invasive measures (such as heart-rate and temperature) of physiological stress. The reliability of different group-mates when foraging and vigilant will be artificially manipulated. We predict that individuals will pay more attention, and thus learn more quickly, from reliable group-mates, and that foraging in their presence will also be less stressful.

Funding Notes
The studentship is one of a number advertised under a competitive BBSRC quota doctoral training grant scheme. All available studentships and further information on the application process and eligibility requirements can be viewed at: http://www.vetschool.bris.ac.uk/research/postgrads/studentship/

The successful studentship/s will run for 4 years and will provide a stipend at standard BBSRC rates plus fees. Veterinary graduates will receive an enhanced stipend.

More information here

PhD bursary (part-time, fees only) – Roehampton University

Educational Organization:
Roehampton University

Date Posted:
2009-12-11

Program Description:
A part time fees-only bursary is available to undertake a PhD in the general area of research of any member of the Centre for Research in Evolutionary Anthropology, Roehampton University (please see individual staff members’ pages: http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/researchcentres/crea/members/index.html for further information on research interests). Applicants should contact potential supervisors to discuss projects prior to application.

General enquiries can be sent to Dr Stuart Semple (s.semple@roehampton.ac.uk).
Instructions on how to apply can be found at: http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/graduateschool/prospectiveresearchstudents/howtoapply/index.html

Entrance Qualifications:
An excellent first degree in a relevant subject.

Tuition / Fees:
Part time tuition fees only are covered

Support (scholarships, travel):
No other support is available

Start + End Dates:
Proposed start date is 1st February 2010

Application Deadline:
1700 GMT on Monday 11th January 2010

Comments:
It is planned that interviews will be held in the week commencing 18th January 2010.

Contact Information:
Dr Stuart Semple
Roehampton University
London SW15 4JD
United Kingdom

Telephone Number:
+44 208 3923528

Website:
http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/staff/StuartSemple/

E-Mail Address:
s.semple@roehampton.ac.uk

New Doctoral Program in Ecological Anthropology

Educational Organization:
University of Texas at San Antonio

Date Posted:
2009-12-09

Program Description:
NEW DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN ECOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO

We are living in a time of unprecedented environmental change. How people impact environments and how environments impact human and nonhuman primates are increasingly complex and important issues. Ecological anthropology at the University of Texas at San Antonio is a holistic and rigorous doctoral program that focuses on the ways in which human and nonhuman primates are embedded within ecological processes and political-economic realities.

Course offerings view ecological anthropology through multiple lenses, including political, cultural, and evolutionary ecology; the social landscapes and economic transformations of current societies, ancient hunters and gatherers, and past complex societies; the ecology, biology, and conservation of nonhuman primates; the anthropology of medical care and human health; and methods in resource management, biodiversity conservation, and intercultural collaboration. Geographical research areas for archaeology include the American Southwest, Texas, Northwest Mexico, Mesoamerica, and Andean South America. Our biological anthropologists conduct research in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Neotropics. The cultural anthropologists work in the United States, Mexico, US-Mexico borderlands, Lowland South America, Island Pacific, and East and West Africa. With training that is both academic and applied, the graduates of UTSA’s doctoral program in ecological anthropology are uniquely prepared to understand and to engage the environmental challenges of a transforming world.

Graduate Student Support Each year a certain number of competitive fellowships will be awarded to entering doctoral students. Fellowships will be renewed for two successive years pending an annual review process. University and Departmental grants and scholarships are also available. In addition, doctoral students have the opportunity to work as teaching and research assistants. Assistantships will vary, but minimally will entail quarter-time appointments (10 hours per week). Procedures and

Program Contacts To apply for admission to the Ph.D. program in Anthropology, please visit the Graduate School website http://www.utsa.edu/graduate/Admission/index.html or call 210-458-4335. Further information about the program can be found at the department website: http://colfa.utsa.edu/ant/. General questions about the Ph.D. program should be directed to the Department of Anthropology (210-458-4075) or to the Graduate Advisor of Record, Dr. Thad Bartlett, thad.bartlett@utsa.edu, (210-458-5712). Admission Deadline Admission priority will be given to complete applications received by December 31. The final application deadline is February 1.

Entrance Qualifications:
Refer to: http://www.utsa.edu/graduate/Admission/index.html

Tuition / Fees:
Refer to: http://www.utsa.edu/graduate/Admission/index.html

Support (scholarships, travel):
Refer to: http://colfa.utsa.edu/ant

Start + End Dates:
August 2010

Application Deadline:
February 1, 2010

Contact Information:
Graduate Advisor of Record, Dr. Thad Bartlett
Department of Ecological Anthropology, One UTSA Circle
University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249
USA

Website:
http://colfa.utsa.edu/ant

E-Mail Address:
thad.bartlett@utsa.edu

On en parle...

Une petite pub....
http://bioecologie.over-blog.com/article-le-blog-de-marine-grandgeorge--40692474.html

Call for posters- Summer Institute in Cognitive Sciences

Call for poster presentations (FRENCH VERSION BELOW)

Summer Institute in Cognitive Science: The origins of language
21-30 June 2010, Montreal

You are invited to submit an abstract for a poster presentation to be displayed at the Summer Institute on The origins of language. The Institute is organized by the Cognitive Science Institute (UQAM, Montreal), the Université René Descartes (Paris) and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig).

When in human evolution did language appear? Did it appear suddenly or gradually? What were the physiological, cognitive, and social prerequisites of language? The Summer Institute will bring together 40 of the world leading specialists of these questions, among which Michael Arbib, Terrence Deacon, Stevan Harnad, Ray Jackendoff, Giacomo Rizzolatti, Duane Rumbaugh, Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Dan Sperber, Kim Sterelny, Maggie Tallerman, Ian Tattersall, Michael Tomasello, Stephanie White, and David Sloan Wilson.

Presentations from graduate, postgraduate, and faculty members working on The origins of language in any of the following disciplines are welcome: Anthropology, Archaeology, Computer Sciences, Linguistics, Neurosciences, Paleontology, Philosophy, Psychology, or Zoology.

***Registration is mandatory to attend and present a poster at the Summer Institute.

Submissions

Poster abstracts must not exceed 300 words and should be sent attached to an e-mail message containing the following information:

Title of the abstract
Author's name
Affiliation
Discipline (Anthropology, Archaeology, Computer Sciences, Linguistics, Neurosciences, Paleontology, Philosophy, Psychology, or Zoology)
Author's e-mail address and telephone number.

For submission and additional information:
http://www.summer10.isc.uqam.ca

Timetable

Submissions will be accepted from 1 December 2009 to 31 January 2010.
Notifications of acceptance will be sent to authors by 28 February 2010.


Appel à présentation par affiche

Institut d'été en sciences cognitives: L'origine du langage
21 au 30 juin 2010, Montréal

Vous êtes invités à soumettre une proposition d'affiche à présenter dans le cadre de l'Institut d'été sur L'origine du langage, organisé conjointement par l'Institut des sciences cognitives de l'UQAM (Montréal), l'Université René Descartes (Paris) et l'Institut Max Planck en Anthropologie évolutionnaire (Leipzig).

À quel moment dans l'évolution humaine le langage est-il apparu? Est-il apparu soudainement ou graduellement? Quels facteurs physiologiques, cognitifs et sociaux lui ont permis d'évoluer? L'Institut regroupera 40 des meilleurs chercheurs au monde sur ces questions, parmi lesquels Michael Arbib, Terrence Deacon, Stevan Harnad, Ray Jackendoff, Giacomo Rizzolatti, Duane Rumbaugh, Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Dan Sperber, Kim Sterelny, Maggie Tallerman, Ian Tattersall, Michael Tomasello, Stephanie White, and David Sloan Wilson.

Les propositions provenant des étudiants des cycles supérieurs, des chercheurs postdoctoraux et des professeurs travaillant sur l'origine du langage dans les domaines suivants sont les bienvenues : anthropologie, archéologie, informatique, linguistique, neurosciences, paléontologie, philosophie, psychologie et zoologie.

***L'inscription est obligatoire pour assister à l'Institut d'été et y présenter une affiche.

Soumissions

Le résumé de la proposition d'affiche ne doit pas dépasser 300 mots et doit être joint à un courriel comprenant les informations suivantes :

Le titre du résumé
Le nom de l'auteur
Son affiliation
Sa discipline (anthropologie, archéologie, informatique, linguistique, neuroscience, paléontologie, philosophie, psychologie, ou zoologie)
Son adresse courriel et son numéro de téléphone.

Pour soumettre une proposition ou obtenir davantage d'information:
http://www.summer10.isc.uqam.ca

Calendrier

Les soumissions seront acceptées entre le 1er décembre 2009 et le 31 janvier 2010.
Les réponses seront envoyées aux auteurs avant le 28 février 2010.

Two field assistants for rhesus monkey research on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico.

Hiring Organization:
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Date Posted:
2009-12-02

Position Description:
We are looking for two volunteers to assist on a project examining kin recognition on a semi free-ranging rhesus macaque population on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. The project is being undertaken in the Lab of Dr Anja Widdig, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig (Germany) (see http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/index.html). The volunteers will work alongside Dr Dana Pfefferle (http://www.eva.mpg.de/pks/files/people.html).

The successful applicants will be expected to work on Cayo Santiago for 5-6 days a week, and are also required to undertake data entry and/or processing in the later afternoon and early evenings. The volunteer assisting in the first project will collect behavioral data using focal observations. For this project it is necessary to learn up to 400 animals, living in different groups. The second volunteer will help carrying out playback experiments as well as record rhesus macaque vocalizations. For this project it is necessary to learn to identify about 150 animals. Appropriate training will be provided, after which a good quantum of independence is expected.
We prefer applicants that stay for the entire period of 6 month. However, in the case of two very good applications for the second projects, a split into two times three months might be possible. Please apply only for one of the two projects (specify in your application!). If you apply for the second one, please mention the period of time you are interested to volunteer.

Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants should have a Bachelor in Biology, Ecology, Animal Behavior, Physical Anthropology, Primatology, or a related field. Previous field experiences (preferably in the tropics) and knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but not necessary. In general, applicants must be in good physical and mental condition; feel comfortable being far away from family and friends; be emotionally mature, energetic, and very patient; have an excellent eye for detail; don’t be afraid of approaching monkeys (!); willing to work in a small team setting and follow instructions; be able to maintain a positive and humorous attitude towards challenging and tiring work.

The language in our team is English. The successful candidate must have medical insurance, a valid IACUC certificate (www.citiprogram.org) and a TB-test.

Salary/funding:
At the moment there is NO financial support available. It is aimed that accommodation costs are shared by the two candidates (450 UD-$/month for two people). However, if for whatever reason, this is not possible, one candidate needs to be able to pay the entire rent. After very good performance and upon approval of pending grant application, we might be able to partially offset some of the living costs.

Term of Appointment:
10th March until 30th August 2010

Application Deadline:
January 10, 2010

Comments:
To apply, candidates should email a brief cover letter outlining their interests, experience, and why they wish to join one of the two projects. They should attach a CV which includes at least contact details of two academic reference. Please only send email applications.

Contact Information:
Dana Pfefferle
Germany

E-mail Address:
danapfefferle@googlemail.com

Stage sur le comportement animal à l’Université d’Aix en Provence (Aix-Marseille III), Rousset

Thème : Les asymétries faciales lors d’expressions émotionnelles et d’interactions sociales chez le babouin olive (Papio anubis)

Encadrement : Jacques Vauclair, professeur à l’Université d’Aix en Provence (Aix-Marseille III) et Catherine Wallez, doctorante.

Durée : Quatre mois : Janvier 2010 à Avril 2010. Durée du stage pouvant être plus courte.

Lieu : Station de Primatologie, CNRS (UPS 846). Rousset- 13790, France.

Description :
Le stage consiste en l’assistanat de travaux de recherche sur les asymétries faciales chez le Babouin olive. Le stagiaire devra effectuer la collecte de données par enregistrement vidéo des interactions sociales en se focalisant sur le visage des individus. Il devra visionner et découper les enregistrements pour obtenir les données. Les images ainsi obtenues, il devra traiter les images grâce à un logiciel spécifique pour les analyser.

Qualités requises :
Etre patient, rigoureux et observateur. Savoir anticiper et être réactif.
Avoir minimum un niveau Bac + 2 en biologie ou psychologie.

Condition de travail :
Temps plein, du lundi au vendredi
Indemnité mensuelle nulle

Contact : Envoyer un CV et une lettre de motivation par courrier électronique : catherine.wallez@gmail.fr