LIFT’s new podcast, Lifting Animals’ Lives, officially launched on 8 February 2026. Hosted and produced by Dr Mark James Learmonth and Dr Suzanne Truong from subWG 1.7: Bridging Disciplines, the podcast is one of the key outputs of the subgroup’s work.
The aim of subWG 1.7 is to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies to advance our understanding of positive animal welfare. Through Lifting Animals’ Lives, we explore positive animal welfare, farmed animal welfare, and a wide range of related topics by engaging with experts from diverse disciplines. Each episode offers an in-depth conversation that bridges research fields and highlights new ways of thinking about animal welfare.
Our inaugural episode featured Dr Laura Webb, Assistant Professor at Wageningen University and Vice Chair of the LIFT COST Action. In the episode, Positive animal welfare, emotions, and flourishing, Dr Webb discussed how concepts from positive psychology can inform animal welfare research and how studying different species, including insects, can broaden our understanding of animal welfare. The conversation also explored the definition of positive animal welfare and considered whether animal flourishing and happiness can be achieved within current farming systems.
Several exciting episodes are already in development, including:
- How cultural and regional differences shape perceptions of animal welfare – Dr Ebru Emsen
- Reconceptualising animal welfare – Associate Professor Jes Lynning Harfeld
- Bridging the gap between science and practice – Dr Jen-Yun Chou
We hope Lifting Animals’ Lives will inspire discussion, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and generate new ideas for improving the lives of animals. The podcast is available on all major streaming platforms, with a full list of platforms available on the RSS page.
Listen now:
Happy listening!
