About Prof. Andrew M. Janczak
In Brief
This is the personal academic profile of Andrew M. Janczak, Professor of Animal Behaviour (dyreatferd) and Welfare (dyrevelferd) at NMBU. It outlines his background, education, and research interests, details his journey from California to NMBU, his training in farm animal ethology (etologi), his integration of applied AI in livestock welfare (velferd hos produksjonsdyr), and his contributions to welfare science policy.
Last updated: 1 June 2026
Understanding Animal Welfare from Behavioural Perspectives
Biography
Born and bred in California, my journey from the West Coast to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences has been driven by a lifelong fascination with animal behavior. This fascination has evolved into a dedicated career at the intersection of animal welfare science, applied ethology, and clinical veterinary medicine.
Education
I hold a Doctor Agriculturae in farm animal ethology and a Cand. Scient. in Ethology, both from the Agricultural University of Norway. I have also completed formal teacher training and animal research certifications in Norway.
Research Interests
My research explores the behavioural and physiological foundations of animal welfare, with a particular focus on tail biting in pigs, behavioural development in poultry, and cognitive processes in both fish and birds. I am increasingly interested in applying artificial intelligence in research and teaching — for example, using AI to interpret emotional valence and contextual meaning in pig vocalisations .
My research integrates ethological methods, digital phenotyping, and AI-based technologies to address challenges in livestock welfare. Currently, I am a contributing researcher on the FitPig project, investigating how physical activity and dietary enrichment impact the gut-brain axis and overall welfare of finishing pigs. I also contribute to national and international welfare policy.
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