Dr Jacqui Wilmshurst

I am working towards a PhD in Anthrozoology and Applied Animal Ethics via a project entitled 'Caring Wildly', exploring animal-centred approaches to rehabilitation and care for captive wild animals in a sanctuary context.

Several years' practice as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator have already shown me that these animals have much to teach us; about their individuality, capabilities, adaptability, and needs. There is also much to learn from working with wild animals about the cultural narratives that shape how we live alongside other members of our evolving ecosystems.

Using qualitative multispecies methodology and methods this research explores animal ethics, care ethics, and the many boundaries in working across species, academic disciplines, and paradigms. It will address the themes of rehabilitation, captivity, ableism and speciesism, 'right to life' and 'right to death', agency and personhood, and 'entangled empathy'.

The animals in this study are unable to return to the wild, and are living in captivity for the sole purpose of their own welfare. This provides a context that is distinct from those in which wild animals are captive for another primary purpose; for example such as for species conservation and education in zoos, or for research in laboratories.

I have a previous academic background in health, social and environmental psychology, applied to human-natural environment relationships and in particular towards improved resilience and risk management for natural hazards. This research examined other 'ways of knowing' alongside conventional scientific and academic enquiry, including indigenous and traditional knowledge about the natural world and other animals.

In addition to my work as an academic, I was previously an officer in the British Army (retired as Captain) and a leader in mental health and wellbeing in large complex organisations including the BBC, Meta and TikTok. I am a Chartered Member and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Socety, in the Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology.

For the past decade I have been working as a consultant and senior leader in health, wellbeing, and inclusion in the workplace, and I provide additional services as a speaker and consultant in Conservation Psychology and behaviour change.

I also run a small, private wildlife sanctuary from my home in East Yorkshire. I have worked with a wide range of urban wildlife, and now focus exclusively on the rehabilitation and care of birds from the corvid (crow) family, and grey squirrels for which I hold a licence from Natural England.