Francoise is a biologist specialising in animal behaviour and welfare and the philosophy of science. Originally from The Netherlands, she completed her PhD at the University of Leiden, on the topics of animal subjectivity and animal suffering. She then went to work at the Scottish Agricultural College in Edinburgh to develop and lead an experimental research programme on the ‘whole animal’ assessment of animal welfare and suffering. In coming years she hopes to practically apply this work in collaboration with farmers and other animal welfare practitioners. She has published philosophical and experimental work in mainstream scientific journals, and lectures widely on animal welfare, animal consciousness, and the principles of qualitative science. She has been a regular contributor to the Schumacher College MSc on Holistic Science for a number of years.
