Jo has an undergraduate degree in Zoology, a masters in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare and a PhD in equine welfare. Her PhD investigated the behaviour of leisure horses in the UK, and the management, feeding and training practices associated with this facet of the UK equine population. Following her PhD, Jo worked at Bristol Vet School for over a decade, conducting animal welfare research, primarily on equines and farmed livestock, with a particular focus on the influence of human perceptions and attitudes on decision-making and welfare. She joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2023 as their Head of Research. She is an Honorary Senior research Fellow at Bristol Vet School where she has two PhD students, one exploring the use of former racing thoroughbreds as EAS horses, and one investigating equine training practices.
"I am a strong believer in the value of rigorous ethical research to advance knowledge and inform practice. We need this evidence base to ensure that horses are treated compassionately and that both horses and humans benefit from their interactions. Unfortunately it can be really difficult to get funding for this important research. Horses & Humans Research Foundation not only support research in this area, they make it accessible to those who would benefit from it to drive positive change. I am proud to support their mission".