International Centre for Animal Welfare Science
Improving animal welfare worldwide through capacity building in animal welfare science.
Our mission
The International Centre for Animal Welfare Science (ICAWS) seeks to improve animal welfare through partnerships, programmes, and collaborative knowledge exchange with veterinary schools and agricultural universities globally.
ICAWS activities
Current activities at the SRUC International Centre for Animal Welfare Science (ICAWS) consist primarily of the delivery of workshops and other activities in country designed to help develop faculty skills and to give increasing visibility to the subject area, as well as training workshops and scientist visits/stays to our facilities in Edinburgh.
Future activities (in development) include:
- International workshops and conferences
- Development of teaching and learning materials
- Summer school opportunities at SRUC
- Visiting scientist opportunities
- Online microcredentials
- PhD & MSc student partnerships for study
- International student alumni events
- International student exchange programmes with global partners
Animal behaviour and welfare events
The SRUC International Centre for Animal Welfare Science (ICAWS) regularly hosts and participates in a number of in-person and online events. Learn more about them, including how to participate or attend by visiting our events pages.
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Animal welfare science in SRUC news
Raising the bar on positive animal welfare
A review of positive animal welfare has found it represents an important evolution from the wider concept of animal welfare. Researchers at Scotland’s Rural College led a critical review of the
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Finding the positives in animal welfare
Researchers at SRUC have found a significant overlap between the views of farmers and scientists on positive animal welfare. In the first study of its kind, livestock farmers were asked directly what
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Cathy to champion animal welfare
An animal welfare expert at Scotland’s Rural College has been named as chair of the first-ever independent Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.
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Animal Welfare Commission named
Members have been appointed to Scotland’s first independent Animal Welfare Commission, which is chaired by Professor Cathy Dwyer from SRUC.
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Animal welfare app scoops another award
A groundbreaking animal welfare app developed by an SRUC scientist has led to another major award for Waitrose.
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You might also be interested in:
MSc International Animal Welfare (Distance Learning)
This programme delivers a multidisciplinary, global approach to animal welfare, combining world-leading scientific expertise with the practical and communication skills needed to drive real-world change. This course is subject to validation.
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BSc (Hons) Animal Welfare Science
This is the only degree programme in the UK which focuses specifically on Animal Welfare Science, and draws on the expertise of one of the largest Animal Welfare research teams in the world. ***Applications are currently closed to Scottish/Home applicants for September 2026 entry.***
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School of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences
Scotland's first new Vet School in over 150 years.
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Animal ethics
The Animal Experiments Committee (AEC) ensures that all our research involving animals upholds the highest welfare standards. It acts as SRUC’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB).
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