Amanda has extensive experience in animal ethics, human research ethics, research integrity and governance.
She earned her doctorate from The University of Queensland in animal behaviour and welfare developing, implementing and evaluating a Great Ape Welfare Index. The Index has been adopted internationally and used to inform the development of indices for a variety of other species.
As the Manager, Research Ethics and Integrity and while coordinating animal ethics at Griffith University Amanda provided expert advice to executives regarding research governance, integrity, ethics, regulatory compliance and risk. She managed projects and developed university policy and procedures on research integrity, misconduct investigations, contentious objections, and animal care, use and rehoming.
Amanda initiated and hosted the inaugural Queensland Animal Ethics Training and Networking event which included presentations from Biosecurity Queensland, animal users, animal welfare, ethics and veterinary experts and included break-out sessions for discussions of case studies and networking. The successful event attracted almost 100 attendees and filled the venue. She was part of the organising committee for the 2015 ANZCCART Conference and has presented at numerous local and international conferences on animal welfare and ethics.
Amanda has developed and implemented training and competency assessments for researchers, committee members and animal carers, created guidelines for the care of great apes undergoing rehabilitation as well as post-release monitoring, delivered training in animal care and behaviour and conceived and installed novel environmental enrichment programs resulting in measurable improvements to activity budgets.
Amanda is a life-long learner and has recently completed a Diploma of Sustainable Living, with specialisations in Environment, Ecology and Planet and Well-being and Health to Promote Sustainable Living. She also enjoys sitting down at her potter’s wheel, attempting to create ceramic masterpieces.