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Deborah Wells

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Deborah Wells

  • Reader , School of Psychology
  • Behavioural Development and Welfare
  • Phone +44 (0)28 9097 4386

Room 02.511 - David Keir Building

United Kingdom

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Animal welfare, animal behaviour, laterality, pet-human bond, dogs, cat, zoo animals

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Particulars.

I graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 1992 with a first class Honours degree in Psychology.  I went on to pursue a PhD in QUB on the welfare of kennelled dogs, graduating with my Doctorate in 1996.  After several years of post-doc research, I was appointed to a lectureship in Animal Welfare in 1999.  I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2004 and to Reader in 2013.

Research Interests

My research concentrates on animal behaviour and welfare, with a particular focus on the domestic dog.  Much of my work has been concerned with exploring the welfare of animals housed in captivity (e.g. zoos, rescue kennels) and finding ways of improving psychological well-being through the implementation of novel and scientifically tested enrichment strategies. Other research areas include pets and human health, behaviour problems in companion animals and, more recently, laterality in animals.

I teach at Level 1 (Introductory Psychology) and Level 3 (Animal Behaviour) on the UG curriculum.  I supervise Level 1 and Level 2 project groups and final year thesis students.  I currently have one PhD student, studying laterality in cats.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

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  • 1 Similar Profiles
  • Animals Agricultural and Biological Sciences 100%
  • Dogs Agricultural and Biological Sciences 99%
  • Biases Psychology 87%
  • Bias Agricultural and Biological Sciences 86%
  • Behavior Agricultural and Biological Sciences 83%
  • Humans Psychology 61%
  • Cats Agricultural and Biological Sciences 51%
  • Felis Agricultural and Biological Sciences 51%

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Dive into details.

Select a country/territory to view shared publications and projects

Projects per year

S2268PSY: KTP : Devenish Nutrition

01/08/2007 → …

Project : ktp

R1157PSY: Lateralised behaviour as a predictor of welfare risk in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris

Wells, D. & Hepper, P.

01/08/2013 → 31/08/2017

Project : Research

Research output

  • 3 Chapter (peer-reviewed)

Research output per year

An exploratory study into the backgrounds and perspectives of equine-assisted service practitioners

Research output : Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

  • Perspective 100%
  • Service Industries 100%
  • Practitioners 100%
  • Physician 100%

Connecting to zoos and aquariums during a COVID-19 lockdown

  • COVID-19 100%
  • Lockdown 100%
  • Animals 100%
  • Aquariums 100%
  • Resources 100%

Quality of the human–animal bond and mental wellbeing during a Covid-19 lockdown

  • Wellbeing 100%
  • Mental Health 80%
  • Loneliness 40%
  • Attention 20%
  • Vulnerability 20%

The effect of auditory stimulation on pet dogs' reactions to owner separation

Aspects of zoo experiences that increase feelings of connectedness and conservation caring.

Research output : Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

  • Behavior 100%
  • Connectedness 100%
  • Surveys 50%

Research Prize for Best Research Project

Wells, Deborah (Recipient), 2005

Prize : Prize (including medals and awards)

Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship Award

Wells, Deborah (Recipient), 1999

Prize : Fellowship awarded competitively

  • 9 Membership of peer review panel or committee
  • 2 Work on advisory panel to industry or government or non-government organisation
  • 2 Editorial activity
  • 1 Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups
  • 1 Publication peer-review

Activities per year

Animals (Journal)

Deborah Wells (Peer reviewer)

Activity : Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review

Anthrozoos (Journal)

Deborah Wells (Editorial advisory board member)

Activity : Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity

International Working Group for Advice on Dogs and Human Health

Deborah Wells (Member)

Activity : Consultancy types › Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups

Applied Animal Behaviour Science (Journal)

1st and 3rd reign of catz and dogz conferences (event).

Activity : Membership types › Membership of peer review panel or committee

Improving the Psychological Wellbeing of Captive Animals

Deborah Wells (Participant) & Peter Hepper (Participant)

Impact : Quality of Life Impact, Public Policy Impact

Universities

Queen's University Belfast

PHD in Psychology

phd psychology qub

Queen's University Belfast, Belfast

School of Psychology

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Pre-requisites

  • Discussions

About Course

Program Duration

Degree Type

Course Credits

PHD in Psychology at the prestigious Queen's University Belfast is a prestigious degree that offers in-depth learning in Psychology. Being a renowned university, Queen's University Belfast receives enough funds to ensure the best education facilities for its students across all programs. This doctorate program offered full-time primarily focuses on the practical implementation of fresh ideas through rigorous study and research. The students are encouraged to add new aspects and findings to the existing area of knowledge. PHD in Psychology at QUB is ranked globally by estimated organisations. Such recognition speaks volumes about the course’s importance and effectiveness in the present scenario. The top-notch faculty, modern facilities, and the aura of creativity and innovation in the QUB campus is a life-changing experience for the students looking forward to kickstarting or upgrading their careers. Overall, a PHD in Psychology at Queen's University Belfast is an excellent opportunity to grow into a learned professional and bring new developments in the world.

Official fee page

£22,700 / year

£68,100 / 36 months

5000+ Students

Availed education loan

Loan amount sanctioned

Assistance for loan process

Minimum english score required

Application Transcripts Certified translations Two References Research proposal English Language Proficiency

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