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Prof. A. M. Janczak

Andrew M. Janczak, Dr. Agric. | Professor of Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

In Brief

Andrew M. Janczak is a Professor of Animal Behaviour and Welfare (dyrevelferd og atferd) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU / Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet), specialising in the behaviour, stress physiology and welfare of pigs and poultry, digital phenotyping (digital fenotyping), and applied AI (anvendt KI). This personal portfolio brings together his research, teaching, academic leadership, and independent AI-strategy consultancy in one place.

Last updated: 1 June 2026

As a Professor of Animal Behaviour and Welfare at NMBU, my work sits at the critical intersection of animal welfare science, applied ethology, and clinical veterinary medicine. I have dedicated my career to studying the behavioural, cognitive, and physiological correlates of well-being in production animals to contribute to the development of ethical, sustainable, and scientifically sound agricultural systems.

Core Research Areas

My research activities are concentrated in four primary areas: 1) developing a basic understanding of behavioural and physiological phenomena, 2) ethological research applied to improving animal welfare, 3) the integration of AI-based technologies in research, and 4) implementation through scientific leadership and policy.

I use advanced ethological, physiological, and digital phenotyping methods to generate new knowledge regarding how prenatal environments, early-life experiences, and production environments influence an animal's cognitive development, stress susceptibility, and coping styles. I contribute to developing scientifically validated protocols to measure and improve the quality of life of group-housed livestock, with a particular focus on improving robustness and behavioural competence, and mitigating damaging behaviours like tail-biting in pigs and feather-pecking in poultry.

To bridge the gap between research and real-world application, I actively contribute to defining national and international welfare standards; this includes my current role on the National Committee for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes and having formerly served on the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM). I have also held leadership roles in major European networks, such as Action Chair for COST Action GroupHouseNet and Work Package Leader for the EU ChickenStress consortium.

Teaching & Academic Mentorship

Beyond research, I am deeply committed to training the next generation of veterinary professionals and animal scientists. I emphasize interdisciplinary, science-based approaches in my teaching of natural sciences and veterinary subjects. My teaching philosophy emphasizes evidence-based practices that empower students, from veterinary candidates to international PhD researchers, to advocate for high ethical standards in research and improved animal welfare throughout their professional lives.

Explore My Work

Publications — Browse Full List (70+ Articles)

Researcher IDs — ORCID | Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Institutional Affiliation — Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU

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A professor of animal behaviour and welfare at NMBU, focusing on the behaviour and welfare of production animals, particularly pigs and poultry, using ethology and applied AI.