UFAW Early Career Animal Welfare Researcher of the year
2026 Award Winners
The UFAW Early Career Animal Welfare Researcher of the Year Award recognises the achievements of early career scientists (who are within 6 years of obtaining their PhD) who have made significant contributions to improving the welfare of animals. The joint recipients of the 2026 award have been named as Dr Heather Browning and Dr Sarah Adcock.
Dr Heather Browning
Dr Heather Browning is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Southampton, UK. She completed her PhD in Philosophy at the Australian National University, focusing on the assessment of animal welfare, and her work now spans animal welfare science, ethics, and the study of consciousness. Drawing on both academic research and earlier experience as a zookeeper and zoo animal welfare officer, her work aims to improve how animal welfare is understood and assessed across species.
Dr Browning has contributed significantly to UK policy through her role in the DEFRA-commissioned review of sentience in cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans, which informed their inclusion under the UK Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act. She is also the coauthor of What Are Zoos For? a concise exploration of the role and future of modern zoos. Dr Browning is recognised for her innovative, interdisciplinary approach and her growing impact on both the science and ethics of animal welfare.
In response to receiving the award, Dr Browning said: "I am honoured to receive this award. As a philosopher working on animal welfare and sentience, I have been continually heartened by the positive reception my work has received in the welfare science community, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of animal welfare research and its many applications. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given for participation and collaboration, and for the support and guidance I have received along the way."
Dr Huw Golledge added: "We are delighted to recognise Dr Browning as a joint recipient of the 2026 UFAW Early Career Animal Welfare Researcher of the Year Award. Her innovative, interdisciplinary approach - bridging philosophy, welfare science and ethics - has already made a meaningful contribution to policy, including informing the UK Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act. At UFAW we believe that advancing animal welfare requires exactly this kind of thinking, and Heather's work embodies that. I very much look forward to hearing both her and Professor von Keyserlingk speak at the UFAW International Animal Welfare Conference 2026."
Dr Sarah Adcock
Dr Sarah Adcock is Assistant Professor in Animal Welfare in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Her research focuses on improving the understanding and mitigation of pain and disease in livestock, integrating animal welfare science into sustainable food production, and supporting understudied food systems such as dairy sheep and insect farming.
Dr Adcock has already made significant contributions to applied animal welfare science through innovative work that has helped shape more humane husbandry practices. She also leads pioneering research on welfare in insect farming, directing a USDA-funded interdisciplinary project on black soldier fly larvae to support the ethical development of this rapidly expanding sector. With a strong publication record, substantial research support, and a clear commitment to applying robust science to real world challenges, she is helping shape the future direction of welfare-focused food systems. A committed proponent of open science, she champions data sharing, replicability, and stringency in scientific methods.
In response to receiving this award, Dr Adcock said: “I’m truly honoured to receive this award. As UFAW celebrates its centennial year, it’s especially meaningful to be recognised by an organisation that has long been a leader in advancing animal welfare. I’m very grateful for the guidance and support I’ve received from exceptional mentors and colleagues, and for the dedicated students who help drive the research forward. I feel privileged to be part of such a supportive community and I’m excited to keep contributing to a field where rigorous science can drive real improvements in animals’ lives.”
Dr Huw Golledge concluded: "We are equally delighted to recognise Dr Adcock as a joint recipient of this award. Her research spans an impressive range - from improving pain and disease management in livestock to pioneering welfare standards in emerging sectors like insect farming. What stands out is her commitment to ensuring that rigorous, open science drives real change in how animals are cared for, which is very much in the spirit of what UFAW seeks to support. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in the years ahead."
