Dr Lauren Smith

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds as a Research Fellow in September 2020. I completed my PhD at the University of Leeds in July 2020, where I was investigating the impact of free-roaming dog population management on population dynamics, health, and welfare. ​Before undertaking my PhD, I completed an MSc in Wild Animal Biology (2016) at the Royal Veterinary College and Zoological Society of London, and a Post Graduate Certificate in International Animal Health (2015) at the University of Edinburgh. I have also previously worked in research assistant positions for the Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Laboratory (2014) and the Western Australia Marine Science Institution (2013).

Research interests

I am part of the Collins Animal Welfare Epidemiology group and my research focusses on modelling population dynamics and infectious disease outbreaks, as well as using statistical modelling methods to determine risk factors for public attitudes, behaviours, and animal health and welfare conditions. I also develop user-friendly applications to predict the impact of management strategies. For example, applications to estimate dog population sizes and predict the impact of dog population management strategies using local population specific parameters.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biology
• MSc in Wild Animal Biology
• PG Cert in International Animal Health
• BSc (Hons) Zoology

Professional memberships

• British Ecological Society
• Animal Welfare Research Network