Victoria Melfi

With over 30 years within the zoo profession, as well as holding various academic appointments, I am a passionate advocate of professional/academic collaborations to gather data which can underpin evidence based practice, to achieve great animal welfare and conservation outcomes. I believe that empowering people, with the knowledge and skills, needed to implement evidence based practice is fundamental to successfully improving animal welfare and conservation. A central theme in my research, teaching and professional activities, is a keen interest in human-animal interactions; where an understanding of both are critical to enhance the lives of both parties. 

I am interested in human-animal interactions: notably how animals impact our lives and how we impact theirs. 

My research, supervision and teaching spans human-animal interactions including animals in various contexts, where animals and humans interact in wild and captive situations. 

Much of my research has focussed on wildlife welfare and conservation.  I am also keen to explore similar themes in agriculture and companion animal science. 

Current research includes:

Establishing positive stakeholder engagement in wildlife conservation

Exploring the inter-dependence of stakeholders in Agriculture

Evaluating the value of zoos within communities