Kirstin Mcilvaney (FHEA, MSci)

MSc Programme Co-ordinator

Biography

Background

Since 2019 I have coordinated the MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, an on campus programme that has been running for over 30 years. I arrange teaching, lead the practical sessions and visits as well as supporting students with their studies. I am a Course Organiser for Scientific Methodology (20 credits), Animal Welfare Applications (40 credits) and the Dissertation course (60 credits) that all sit within the AABAW programme. I also work on the online MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour (CAB) as a programme coordinator and dissertation supervisor.

I was previously a Research Assistant for 14 years in the Animal Behaviour and Welfare team at SRUC, working predominantly in maternal behaviour research with many farm animal species. I routinely helped develop and advance novel and practical methods of data collection. Cultivating current technology to fit research needs, refining data recording efficiency and accuracy developed my awareness in the need to teach practical research skills to post graduate students, which led me to my current role.

I am interested in all things feline, supporting students with their studies and promoting good research practice.

Qualifications

MSci (with work placement) from University of Glasgow (2004)

Fellowship of Higher Education Authority (FHEA) (2023)

Responsibilities & affiliations

Teaching committees for MSc AABAW, MSc CAB, R(D)SVS Post graduate taught Learning and Teaching Committee (PGTLTC)

Exam board for MSc AABAW, MSc CAB, MSc IAWEL

Special Circumstances committee - MSc AABAW

 

Postgraduate teaching

Course organiser for Scientific Methodology (20 credit), Animal Welfare Applications (40 credit) and MSc AABAW Dissertation course (60 credits)

Areas of interest for supervision

I supervise between 4-6 MSc dissertation students each year on a range of topics that are suitable for Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare and Clinical Animal Behaviour programmes.

MSc students previously supervised to successful submission include;

MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare

  • Holly Clements (co supervised with Rae Foreman-Worsley) An investigation into stress-related factors associated with the social and physical environment that may contribute to occurrence of Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) in pet cats, Felis catus 2022
  • Kathryn Voelkner (co supervised with Bryony Lancaster), Future developments in utilising monitoring sensors to non-invasively record thermal comfort and activity levels in geriatric and chronically ill equids 2022
  • Chloe Pate (co supervised with Lisa Yon) The Social Management and Reproductive Success of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) in European Zoos 2020
  • Alice Tough (co supervised with Lisa Yon ) An Investigation into the Effects of Social Environment on the Reproductive Output of the Captive Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) European Population 2020

 

MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour

  • Folakanmi Adenugba (co supervised with Kevin McPeake) Exploring the Relationship Between Behaviour and Dysphoria 2023
  • Erica Cheung (co supervised with Karen Overall), Effect of Dog-Human Relationship On Behavioural Responses To Physical Touch Over A Spectrum Of Body Regions 2022
  • Suzanne Ruby (co supervised with Fiona Cooke) Donkey Matchmaking: Furthering our understanding of donkey bonding 2022

 

MSc International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law

  • Ariane Aquilina (co supervised with Melanie Connor) Factors Influencing the Keeping of Reptiles as Pets 2021
  • Jillian Gordon (co supervised with Fritha Langford & Gura Bergkvist) The relationship between grimace expressions of dairy cattle and post-mortem dental health; and the implications for welfare and production in dairy cattle 2019
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