Canine Welfare with Dr. Mia Cobb

Mia Cobb is an interdisciplinary scientist who researches the welfare of dogs. She is currently interested in how the intersections of animal welfare science, human psychology, science communication, economic theory, and emerging technologies can help dogs and their people lead happier lives. Mia worked in animal shelter and working dog facilities for over a decade before shifting focus to research and advance the welfare of Australia’s working and sporting dogs. Dr Cobb was awarded her PhD from Monash University, which examined the human attitudes and kennel management practices related to the welfare and performance of working dogs. This research included monitoring behaviour and stress physiology to assess the impact of an enrichment program for kennelled working dogs. Mia believes in helping scientific research escape academic journals and founded the popular canine science platform, Do You Believe in Dog?. Currently based at the University of Melbourne’s Animal Welfare Science Centre, she has also taught science communication and worked as a researcher at the University of Sydney, Monash University, La Trobe University and Deakin University.

Research explores human attitudes, housing and management practices, animal behaviour, stress physiology and how animal welfare relates to the sustainability of animal-based industries. Active in the exciting domains of science communication, emerging technologies (including digital technologies and intelligent systems for animal welfare), citizen science, welfare auditing, and all things dog. Mia shares her home with a rehomed pandemic pup called Luna, often a temporary foster dog, and four chickens named after characters from the musical Hamilton.