Senior research officer in animal welfare at Teagasc (Irish national agriculture and food authority). She has agricultural science (animal science) background, Masters and PhD in sow welfare. Expertise in farm animal behaviour and welfare, as well as informing policy at national level in this area contributed to the European Food Safety Authority’s Scientific Opinion on Pig Welfare published in 2022. Current research interests lie in the link between animal health and animal welfare, in the contribution animal welfare makes to the sustainability of animal agriculture and in the One Welfare implications of agroecological and other alternative animal production systems (employing environmental and sociological indicators in this research). Education and advisory roles within Teagasc and established and managed the Teagasc Animal Ethics Committee from 2013 to 2020.