Nominees for ASAB Council

Secretary

Elisa FRASNELLI (University of Trento, Italy):

Already during my PhD years ago, I had the pleasure to join ASAB and its exceptional membership. Since then, I have always perceived clearly ASAB’s inspiring role in supporting the growing community of animal behaviourists throughout their research and personal development. ASAB meetings provide the perfect venue for scholars at every career stage to bond with new and old colleagues, foster new collaborations, engage with the latest research findings, and get constructive feedback on their research, always in a friendly and familiar environment. I had the honour to serve on the ASAB Council as an ordinary member from 2020 to 2022. Through this uplifting experience, I could learn a lot about the Association and the amazing work that all its members are doing to enhance and promote research on animal behaviour worldwide. This is the very reason why I would now be delighted to continue serving on ASAB Council in the role of Secretary.

Vice-Treasurer

Christos IOANNOU (University of Bristol, UK):

Although I have been a member of ASAB since my PhD, it was while I organised the 2021 ASAB Spring meeting that I gained a better understanding of the brilliant work ASAB does for the animal behaviour research community. This prompted me to join ASAB council in 2022. I was on the grants committee in 2022 and 2023, coopted to the vice treasurer role in 2024, and have taken initiative in promoting ASAB by leading on the development of banners to be displayed at the three annual ASAB meetings. As vice-treasurer, I will work closely with the Treasurer in all aspects of ASAB’s finances, from ensuring our income is sustained into the future, our financial reserves continue to be invested in a socially responsible manner while also returning growth, and our spending is used to the best effect to achieve the current and future aims of the society, while remaining within the limits of our income.

Ethics Committee Secretary

Augusto VITALE (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy):

I have been serving in different ethical committees reviewing project proposals for the use on animal in biomedical and regulatory studies, trying to improve the level of welfare of laboratory animals. Furthermore, I have been teaching in courses focused on ethical issues in experimental studies with animals. I enjoyed and learned a lot in applying my experience in the laboratory science, serving as one of the ethical reviewers for the journal Animal Behaviour. I firmly believe that scientists working with animals belong to both a scientific community as well as an ethical community, I also think that transparency and openness are pivotal aspects of animal research in any field of application. I would be honoured to use my experience to function as the ASAB Ethics Committee Secretary.

Secretary of the Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility (EDIA) Committee

Chiara BENVENUTO (University of Salford, UK):

I am finishing my current term as EDIA secretary. I was involved in the initial process to create an ASAB EDIA committee, as founding member. Since then, for the past three years, I have been very lucky to interact with the members of the EDIA committee, a motivated and committed group of people. During this time, I have learned a lot, increased my understanding and awareness in many areas, and engaged with other organizations (as member of the Royal Society of Biology Diversity & Inclusion Working Group and the Ethics & Inclusivity Operation Team of the Tree of Sex Consortium), while interacting with Council and ASAB members. From the experience gained, I am ready to contribute even more to increase equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of our society and the overall field of animal behaviour. I would be honoured to stay for another term as EDIA secretary.

Claudia WASCHER (Anglia Ruskin University, UK):

I put my name forward for the position as Secretary of the EDIA committee and would be delighted to coordinate with other council members to drive forward the supportive nature of ASAB, where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels included and valued. I am an Associate Professor for Behavioural Biology at Anglia Ruskin University, decade-long ASAB member, served as editor of Animal Behaviour (2018-2020), and I have been a member of the EDIA committee since its establishment. I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for promoting equal opportunities and welcoming diverse perspectives, which are crucial for scientific advancement and societal progress. I successfully organised and managed various EDIA programmes. From 2019-2024, I served as chair of my faculty’s Athena SWAN team leading to my institution’s first ever silver award, I am a member of my faculty’s race equality team, and presented on LGBTQIA+ inclusion in science at national and international conferences.

Secretary of the Education Committee

Lindsay MURRAY (University of Chester, UK):

I am an animal enthusiast with research interests predominantly in primatology, particularly personality, laterality, social networks and self-recognition, but also wider aspects of animal behaviour, including elephant welfare and response to death, where I work with the Science Team at Chester Zoo. I’m on the Council of the Primate Society of Great Britain, where I founded the role of Education Officer in a new Education and Impact Subcommittee. I’m also Editor of the Society’s publication, Primate Eye.  In ASAB, I have served on the Education Committee for five years and would like to build on this and my experience in the Networking Scheme by taking on the role of Education Secretary.  A SFHEA, I’ve driven important pedagogic projects including curriculum development and the student experience in various roles including programme leader and Deputy Head.  I was also Secretary of the Wirral & Cheshire Badger Group, and have delivered a TEDx talk on the climate crisis.  (Animal Psychology talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn5SgqOpF4U).

Ordinary Member (Non-ECR)

Andrew KING (Swansea University, UK):

I am an ASAB member for 20 years and have attended ASAB conferences almost every year since starting my PhD. I am a former Editor of Animal Behaviour, a founding and current member of the EDIA committee, and ASAB representative at Swansea University. ASAB has supported my work with research and childcare grants and provided summer internships for students in my team. They have also awarded conference travel grants to dozens of students I supervise, enabling them to attend and present at ASAB conferences. Recently, I co-organised an ASAB interdisciplinary workshop and am co-editing the associated special issue. ASAB is a superb organisation from which my team and I have greatly benefited. I would be honoured to serve as an Ordinary Member, so that I can dedicate my time, knowledge, and experience to ensure our diverse and inclusive community continues to advance the frontiers of animal behaviour research and education.

Ankit KUMAR (Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, India): 

What I feel I would bring to Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour council if I am elected as Ordinary member. I believe I could bring several valuable contributions: 1.  With my extensive background in veterinary medicine and experience treating a high volume of clinical cases, I bring practical insights and a strong foundation in animal health and welfare that can enrich the council’s discussions and initiatives. 2. My research on the animal welfare indicators has equipped me with a solid understanding of both scientific methodologies and the practical implications of research findings. This knowledge can help in shaping and evaluating research priorities for ASAB. 3. My dedication to improving animal welfare through evidence-based practices and my recent PhD work on Animal Welfare Indicators demonstrate my commitment to the ethical treatment and wellbeing of animals. I can advocate for initiatives and policies that prioritize animal welfare. 4. Collaborative Spirit: I am eager to collaborate with fellow council members and contribute to collective goals. My ability to work well in a team setting will help in fostering a cooperative and productive environment within the council. 5.     I am passionate about education and can contribute to ASAB’s educational initiatives by developing and promoting programs that enhance understanding of animal behavior among students, professionals, and the public. 6. Networking Skills: My existing network within the veterinary field and animal welfare communities in India can help build new partnerships and collaborations for ASAB, broadening our reach and impact. In the future, the association can also organize any conference or meeting in my university. 7. My own journey of continuous learning and professional development reflects my belief in the importance of lifelong education. 8.  My experience and dedication can help ASAB play a more active role in policy advocacy. By contributing my skills, experience, and passion, I hope to support ASAB’s mission and help advance the study and understanding of animal behavior and welfare.

Will SWANEY (Liverpool John Moores University, UK):

I hope to join council as I'd like to make a meaningful contribution to the essential work ASAB is doing to encourage transparency, rigour and inclusivity in animal behaviour research, and so keep our discipline vibrant. I've worked on animal behaviour for over twenty years, the last ten as a lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University. I have extensive experience of teaching, supervising and mentoring animal behaviour students, as well as considerable administrative experience both within and outside academia. Since first joining ASAB as a PhD student, I've seen how the work of ASAB encourages and inspires students, and provides opportunities for researchers at all stages to develop their careers. While ASAB's grants, meetings, awards and journal ensure our research area remains dynamic and vital, it is through its supportive community that ASAB really impacts our discipline, and this is what I would really like to help build.

Ordinary Member (Early Career Researcher, ECR)

Cédric AUMONT (Freie Universität Berlin, Germany)

Having been an active member of ASAB since my undergraduate, it is with great honour and with the support of Friederike Hillemann and Claudia Wascher, that I am applying for the position of Council Member as ECR representative. I became a member in 2017 when ASAB granted me the opportunity to attend my very first conference. Since then, I have been active in the association soliciting classmates to join the society and communicating ASAB’s work. Most especially, I joined the ASAB EDIA committee at the beginning of my PhD and I am now co-organising the Winter Meeting 2024. Being part of the council would be a step forward in my career and an opportunity to learn how a society is organised from within. Through this position, I wish notably to help connect early career researchers with the rest of the ASAB community. I sincerely thank you for the consideration of my application.

James BUKIE (University of Calabar, Nigeria)

My name is Dr. James Bukie, an Early Career Researcher studying the behaviour of Wild drill monkeys in Nigeria. I am motivated to apply for the position of ASAB Ordinary Council Member because I love learning new things and I am hopeful that if voted as ASAB Ordinary Council Member, I will be able to fulfill my dream of learning about ASAB council matters. I am aspiring to start as an ordinary council member, ECR in other to acquire the needed knowledge and experience in Council matters. However, as a member of ASAB, I belong to the Equality, Diversity and inclusivity, and Accessibility (EDIA) committee where I have gained a lot of experience in the past three years and have endeavour to attend most of the committee’s meetings virtually. I believe that I am suitable for the position because I identify as an under- represented group, Coming from the global south. Moreover, I am willing to fulfill all the roles involved as an ASAB Ordinary Council Member such as attending all ASAB meetings and contributing to the affairs and decision-making of the Council as well as help in promoting ASAB’s activities on my social media accounts and my website www.jamesbukie.com. Thank you for your attention.

Nicki PHILLIPS (University of Lincoln, UK):

I am a part-time PhD student at the University of Lincoln (5 years remaining), studying human-animal interactions in zoos. I am the EDIA officer on the ECR committee for the Animal Welfare Research Network and have valued and enjoyed the chances this position has provided, including assessing workshop and grant applications, applying for grants for EDI initiatives, and planning events and support options for ECR members (online and in person). I am keen to apply this experience to new opportunities and I have recently joined ASAB’s Student Subcommittee. I am always on the lookout for and appreciative of new prospects to learn new skills and be involved in a breadth of activities, as I have a wide-ranging interest in animal behaviour and welfare. I would therefore be grateful for the chance to learn from the council and give back to an organisation that has benefitted me as a member.