About
Lisa Wallis has been working for over 20 years in the field of animal behaviour and conservation, and more recently in cognition and welfare. She has spent time working at animal facilities and Universities in America, Canada, Portugal, Norway, Austria, Hungary, Africa and England. Her research has so far focused on domestic and co-operative breeding social species, covering many different topics including the human-animal relationship, animal welfare and enrichment, diet and nutrition, animal-computer interaction, the development and ageing of personality, cognition and control processes, dominant - subordinate relationships, group interactions, and companion animal and owner demographics (including healthspan, longevity, mental health and the influence of previous trauma). Throughout her research career, she has accumulated extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, particularly in the context of animal behaviour, welfare, and human-animal interactions.
Her PhD research on the cognitive development and ageing of dogs, was published in respected international journals and was featured in the Times and National Geographic. Part of her PhD research focused on a standardized assessment of cognitive functioning in dogs using an automated touchscreen battery to look for age difference in discrimination learning, and later to investigate whether a new diet fortified with essential nutrients for boosting cognitive abilities can slow down cognitive decline in domestic dogs using a double-blind randomised controlled trial.
Dr Wallis' research has also had a direct impact on policy and practice. For example, the findings from her research on canine ageing were used to develop practical tools and resources for veterinarians and pet owners, which were subsequently shared through both academic channels and industry publications. Thus translating the research into practical outcomes that benefit both the academic community and practitioners in the field.
Dr Wallis' approach to research is inherently user-centred, focusing on understanding the experiences, needs, and challenges of service users to inform the development of practical solutions. Ensuring that the research findings are not only scientifically robust but also practically applicable in improving health and welfare standards.
She is a member of the research team of the Westgarth Anthrozoology Group Facebook Lab Page.
Prizes or Honours
- Best oral presentation at ACI 2017 (Dr Clara Mancini, Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction, ACI 2017, 2017)
- Best student oral presentation at ISAZ (International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ), 2014)
- University of Vienna PhD completion grant for Life Sciences (University of Vienna, 2014)