Human Animal Science

Human Animal Science is a regular podcast hosted by Tim Adams and Mia Cobb that takes a scientific view of the world of humans and animals.

Human Animal Science, also known as anthrozoology, is a growing multidisciplinary field of enquiry, and one that produces fascinating topics.

Recent podcasts, articles, and research

Top 5 Best Parrots for Beginners in Australia

Top 5 Best Parrots for Beginners

Human Animal ScienceSep 1, 20223 min read

Parrots are trickier to look after than you may think, so if you’re looking for a parrot as a pet then these are the easiest parrots to look after in Australia.

Disgusting animals

Disgusting Animals: what underlies the ‘Eeeww’ factor?

Human Animal ScienceMay 15, 20151 min read

Do slugs disgust you? How about dog poo, or road kill? Tyler (T.J.) Kasperbauer gained his PhD in Philosophy from Texas A&M University where he wrote a dissertation on moral psychology and animal ethics. He is currently completing post-doctoral research…

When did wolves become dogs?

An evolutionary experiment: when did wolves become dogs and what comes next?

Human Animal ScienceMar 26, 20153 min read

When did wolves become dogs? What evolutionary and developmental processes are involved in creating physical variation? Is selection responsible for moulding the diversity of life? Or does developmental bias via drive and constraint determine how animal shapes change? Abby Drake…

Do fish feel pain?

Do fish feel pain? Diving in to the deep end of fish welfare

Human Animal ScienceFeb 19, 20152 min read

Do fish really feel pain? You might assume yes, but you’d be wrong. Kind of. You see – it’s complicated. Dr. Ben Diggles has worked with government, aquaculture industry, recreational fisheries, and commercial fisheries throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the…

Dog walking benefits with Dr Carri Westgarth Dr Hayley Christian

Just walking the dog: what promotes healthy humans?

Human Animal ScienceFeb 5, 20153 min read

Did you know scientists are studying the ways that you walk your dog? What motivates you, how long you exercise for, what features (like footpaths and dog parks) promote human activity – all these questions and more, are being studied by researchers,…


Brought to you by:

The Australian Anthrozoology Research Foundation

The Australian Anthrozoology Research Foundation is a registered charity that funds research into the relationship between animals and humans.

Their mission is to promote the understanding and humane treatment of animals by supporting scientific research that explores the positive effects of their companionship on human health and well-being. They believe that this understanding can help us to create a better world for both animals and people.

Anthrozoology Research Group

The Australian Anthrozoology Research Group is a registered charity that promotes the study of human-animal interactions. They support research into the benefits that come from interacting with animals, be it in a therapeutic, working, or leisure capacity.

The foundation also aims to educate the public about the importance of human-animal interaction and how it can improve our quality of life. They do this through running events, such as lectures and conferences, and by publishing papers and articles on the topic.