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Research Supervision

I am currently available to provide research supervision on a variety of topics from animal behaviour to human-animal interactions.

Past and present students include:

 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

 

Completed

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  1. Robert Appleby, Griffith University (2015-2023). External Supervisor. Thesis titled “Exploring interactions between people and wongari (dingoes) on K’gari."

  2. Petra Edwards, Adelaide University (2017-2022). Associate Supervisor. Thesis titled “Pet friendly practice: Emerging evidence bases for investigating and mitigating dog fear during veterinary care.”

  3. Joshua Trigg (CQUniversity) (2013-2018). Associate Supervisor. Animal-human entanglements within the disaster preparedness context: A bond-centered exploration of companion animal-related risk-taking by guardians.

  4. Michael Cvirn (CQUniversity) (2012-2018). Associate Supervisor. The effects of heat, sleep restriction and exercise on the cognitive performance of firefighters during a wildland fire simulation.

  5. Veronika Czerwinski, Adelaide University (2013-2017). Associate Supervisor. Thesis titled “The influence of maternal care on stress-related responses in puppies, Canis familiaris.”

 

Current

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  1. Emma McLean, CQUniversity, 2020-. Primary supervisor. Thesis titled “Determining the impacts of dingoes on livestock production: A case study from Central West, New South Wales.”

  2. Karen Luke, CQUniversity, 2019-. Associate Supervisor. Thesis titled “Unrecognised equine pain: Its role in equestrian accidents and injuries, horse welfare and horse-human interactions.”

  3. Brenton Williams, CQUniversity, 2019-. Associate Supervisor. Thesis titled “Understanding gambling related cognitive fallacies through their association with core knowledge confusions.”

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PSYCHOLOGY CLINICAL MASTERS (6th year)

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  1. Taya Coates, CQUniversity, 2017. Associate Supervisor. Thesis titled “Equine assisted therapy: Locus of control and adult trauma victims.”

 

MASTERS OF RESEARCH

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  1. Karen Luke, CQUniversity, 2019-. Associate Supervisor. Thesis titled “Unrecognised equine pain: its role in equestrian accidents and injuries, horse welfare and horse-human interactions.”

 

PSYCHOLOGY HONOURS (4th year)

 

  1. Kelly Campbell, CQUniversity, 2023, tba.

  2. Kimberley Mercer, CQUniversity, 2023, tba.

  3. Julie Schalin, CQUniversity, 2023, tba.

  4. Breanna Morgan, CQUniversity, 2022, The representation of wildlife and natural environments on Australian Children’s television.

  5. Tracey Taylor, Adelaide University (co-supervisor), 2022, Living with and caring for senior dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction.

  6. Kaye Ahern, CQUniversity, 2021, The representation of animals in pre-school-aged television programs in Australia.

  7. Tina Skyring-Quirk, CQUniversity, 2021, The role of pets in helping children cope with traumatic experiences.

  8. Elaine Smit, CQUniversity, 2021, Dealing with death: how psychologists use animal-themed literature to educate children about death.

  9. Charley Viner, CQUniversity, 2021, Compassion fatigue and mindful self-care in Australian animal rescue workers.

  10. Emma Dawes, CQUniversity, 2020, Personality descriptors used in Australian online horse advertisements.

  11. Claire Dowling, CQUniversity, 2020, Kids and their dogs: How do caregivers negotiate the interactions between children and dogs?.

  12. Natalie Jacques, CQUniversity, 2019, what influences the attitudes of Australians towards the management of wildlife?

  13. Brad Nelson, CQUniversity, 2019, The ‘nature’ of photography: Can smartphone photography increase connections with the natural world?

  14. Kathleen DeHaan, CQUniversity, 2019, Nature within ‘self’: Do people incorporate natural places into their place identity?

  15. Owen Flanders, CQUniversity, 2019, When dingoes ‘attack’: A look at human-dingo interactions as reported by the media.

  16. Rebecca Griffin, CQUniversity, 2019, Baby Names: How social influences shape the naming of our children.

  17. Jasmine Wilkes, CQUniversity, 2018, Is there a relationship between owners’ attitudes towards ownership and dog behavioural problems?

  18. Kalan Ward, Adelaide University, 2018, People’s perceptions of staffy-type dogs at an animal shelter.

  19. Brenton Williams, CQUniversity, 2017, Encephalisation in the Canidae.

  20. Joy Smith, CQUniversity, 2017, Development of a scale to measure Australian attitudes towards wildlife (AAWS).

  21. Gillian McDermott, CQUniversity, 2017, Decoding the nature of dingo-human interactions on Fraser Island.

  22. Maddison Howie, CQUniversity, 2016, Predictors of human attachment in human-dog relationships.

  23. Stephanie Jarvis, CQUniversity, 2016, ‘What’s in a pet’s name?’ Investigation into the psychological predictors for naming companion animals.

  24. Johanna Aldersey, Adelaide University, 2016, Can simple behaviour tests be used to direct career pathway in assistance dogs?

  25. Kristie Hume, Adelaide University, 2015/16, Hyperextension of the neck: a comparative study between dingoes and greyhounds.

  26. Petra Edwards, Adelaide University, 2015/16, One size fits all? Selection and use of harnesses and halters by dog owners.

  27. Jessica Mack, CQUniversity, 2015, Not so strange bedfellows: the impacts of human-animal co-sleeping practices in an Australian sample

  28. Brett Bodsworth, CQUniversity, 2015, The influence of livestock on livestock owners’ decisions during bushfires.

  29. Peta Hazelton, CQUniversity, 2015, Human-animal co-sleeping practices among Australian dog owners.

  30. Ashley Dale, CQUniversity, 2014, Teachers' attitudes towards animal-assisted therapy for students with autism spectrum disorder.

  31. Suzanne Hallett, Adelaide University, The influence of domestication on the cognitive function of canids.

  32. Lucy Braendler, Adelaide University, 2014, The relationship between stress and learning in dogs newly relinquished to an animal shelter.

  33. Tess Armstrong, CQUniversity, 2013, Expectation versus reality: The utility of subjective measures in assessing performance impairment in Australian volunteer fire fighters.

  34. Tamika Christoforou, CQUniversity, 2013. Safety is a state of mind: The effects of multi-stressor environments on the cognitive functioning of volunteer fire fighters.

  35. Emma Barry, CQUniversity, 2012. The effect of sleep restriction on the perception of cognitive and physical performance in bushland firefighters.

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DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE RESEARCH PROJECT (ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY)

 

2018

Mei Yuaen Poh (co-supervisor Rachel Norris). Hyperflexibility of the hip joint in dingoes (Canis dingo) compared to dogs (Canis familiaris).

 

Christie Ma Hong Kei (co-supervisor Rachel Norris). Orbital angle in the Australian dingo (Canis dingo).

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Current Projects

My background is in comparative psychology and ethology. The majority of my work crosses the intersections between humans and animals (domestic and wild), attitudes, behaviour, anatomy, and conservation. These can be summarised into three synergistic areas that seek to engage equally well with theory and practical applications:

  1. The cognition and behaviour of canids: This area covers various aspects of canids (including dogs, dingoes, and wolves), such as their behaviour, cognition and anatomy.

  2. The intersections between humans and non-human animals: This area explores all facets of the human-animal relationships, including domestic interactions (e.g., human-animal co-sleeping, and animal assisted therapy), wildlife interactions (e.g., conflict between humans and wildlife), and the nature of human attitudes toward wildlife.

  3. Solutions to human-carnivore conflict: Bringing the previous two areas together, this area seeks to examine the nature of human conflict with carnivores and develop and test innovative ways to resolve those conflicts non-lethally. It also explores ways to resolve the human elements of conflict in a way that meets the needs and views of all stakeholders.

 

 

For research videos click here

Dingoes on Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area

2022-2023, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC), $30,020.

Dr Bradley Smith (CI); Dr Ben Pitcher (Taronga Conservation Society); Dr Neil Jordan (UNSW).

 

Understanding community attitudes to further koala conservation in Central Queensland

2022-2023, Central Queensland University Merit Grant, $14,307.

Dr Rolf Schlagloth (CI); Dr Bradley Smith; Dr Flavia Santamaria; Dr Mike Danaher; Dr Michael Hewson; Dr Douglas Kerling (Griffith); Dr Judy Rose (Griffith).

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Promoting human-carnivore co-existence: Examining non-lethal tools for sustainable dingo management

2018/19   CQUniversity (Merit Grant)   $30,850

Dr Bradley Smith, Dr Kathryn Moseby, Dr Euan Ritchie, Prof. Owen Nevin, Mr Robert Appleby

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The population, behaviour and management of dingoes at Telfer Mine, Western Australia​

2015/16   CQUniversity and Newcrest Mining (Linkage grant)   $31,000

Dr Bradley Smith, Mr Robert Appleby

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Behavioural development in a unique Australian mammal: The dingo (Canis dingo)

2013   CQUniversity (Seed Grant Scheme)  $11,304

Dr Bradley Smith, Prof Clive Wynne

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Research Funding

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