Play for Life: Promoting Play in Adult Farmed Animals University of Bristol in United Kingdom

This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of Bristol's Veterinary School offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to sustainable farming systems by promoting play in adult farmed animals, with a focus on cows. The project addresses the challenge of maintaining high animal welfare standards while reducing carbon emissions in the UK livestock sector. Unlike high-tech, data-driven solutions, this research explores a bio-based, low-tech intervention: increasing play behaviour in adult livestock to improve their welfare and quality of life.

The project builds on interdisciplinary findings from human medicine, psychology, and animal developmental biology, aiming to determine the conditions that promote play in adult farm animals and whether increased play leads to lasting welfare benefits. The research is a collaboration between Dr Suzanne Held (behavioural biologist), Prof Siobhan Mullan (veterinary ethicist and welfare scientist), and Ms Kate Still (Head of Farming at the Soil Association), providing access to a broad professional and research network. Students will join the Animal Welfare and Behaviour research community at Bristol Vet School and work closely with the Soil Association and its farmer networks. The first year includes rotation projects to develop key skills, such as applying human medicine concepts to animal welfare, distinguishing play from non-play, and facilitating 'Living-Lab' farmer groups.

The project is ideal for graduates in biology, zoology, animal science, agriculture, or veterinary science, especially those interested in innovative, high-welfare interventions in livestock production. Experience with large data sets is desirable. The studentship covers a stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 per annum for 2024-2025), tuition fees, research and training costs, and additional funds for training, including a 3-month placement. The PhD can be pursued part-time.

Applicants must meet University of Bristol and SWBio DTP eligibility criteria. The application deadline is December 3, 2025, with a start date in September 2026. For more information, contact Dr Suzanne Held or visit the project link.