We will release details of speakers and sessions in the run up to the conference. This is a preview of just a few of the many talks and sessions we have planned; this is not the final programme.
Keynote talks:
There will be one Keynote talk each day, for example:
– Dr Tom Moorhouse: Understanding the psychology of consumers of wildlife products to inform work towards demand reduction: Wildlife consumption often occurs without consumers understanding its impact on animals and ecosystems. Dr Tom Moorhouse will explore how behavioural science, demand reduction, and conservation marketing can help shift consumption patterns through evidence-based messaging.
Tom is an independent researcher and former Senior Researcher in Wildlife Demand Reduction at Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. His work spans wildlife trade, tourism, exotic pets, and behaviour change, alongside science communication and conservation writing.
Other keynote speakers and topics include:
- Casey Jackson – Working with the brain to create behaviour change, including how these insights can strengthen communications including through using motivational interviewing.
- Dave Neale (Animals Asia) – Reflecting on work on encouraging people to think about animal sentience in a range of species and countries.
Workshop sessions
There will be several workshop sessions throughout the week – some exploring models and frameworks of behaviour change, some enabling participants to ‘have a go’ at skills needed to promote change and some that are thought-provoking and a bit different. These will be recorded so that if you can’t make it, you can watch them in your own time. Some of the workshops have limited places and booking will be required so buy your ticket early. Two examples of the workshops we have planned are:
- Beyond First Impressions – how a more grounded approach to photography can shift your mindset: This session will examine how perception and bias shape understanding, and how photography can help create new perspectives and ways of thinking. Sam Lymphany is an accredited executive coach and practice manager who combines storytelling, behaviour, and varied professional experience to support personal growth.
- Finding joy on your doorstep: a guided nature connection experience: This session will explore how slowing down and paying attention to the everyday nature around us can foster curiosity, wellbeing, and a deeper sense of connection. Through simple sensory practices and reflective invitations, participants will discover moments of joy and wonder in the natural spaces closest to them. Jade Hooper is a nature connection practitioner, forest bathing guide, and researcher based in Scotland. Through her work with Wild Pines, she creates opportunities for people to reconnect with nature through sensory, reflective, and accessible experiences that encourage mindfulness and wellbeing.
Other workshops include:
- Using Lego to facilitate exploration of complex issues with Lucy Hawthorne (Climate Play)
- Exploring participatory democracy using collective imagination with Marte Zietkiewicz (People Powered Surrey)
- Motivational Interviewing for managers and leaders with John Whitson-Russell.
- Working with the brain to create behaviour change, including how these insights can strengthen communications including through using motivational interviewing. Casey Jackson will run a workshop expanding on his keynote session.
Live talks
There will be several live talks each day, across several themes that run through the week. These will be recorded so that if you can’t make it, you can watch them in your own time. Just a few of the live talks we have planned are:
1. The transformative power of mentoring young people facing disadvantage and adversity: Liz Grace will explore how trusted mentoring relationships improve outcomes for disadvantaged and care-experienced young people, while also benefiting mentors and communities. The session includes practical ways to get involved. Liz has over a decade of charity sector experience and currently builds partnerships for MCR Pathways. Her work focuses on mentoring, volunteering, and community impact.
2. Navigating Climate and Cultural Change: The 3C Pathway to Resilient Animal Care: The 3C Pathway offers a practical framework that combines animal welfare and behaviour change principles to help professionals respond to environmental and cultural challenges in animal care. Shirley Ferber developed the framework through her work in equine nutrition and welfare. Her research focuses on integrating behaviour change into animal care practice.
– Using behaviour change science to create interventions for dog owners in firework season: Dogs Trust research explored how fireworks affect dogs and informed interventions, including local firework control measures, preparedness planning, and sound-masking strategies. Sara Owczarczak-Garstecka is a Research Manager at Dogs Trust whose work focuses on supporting dog owners through evidence-led behaviour services.
– Funnel to future: Reimagining rehoming through behaviour change: This talk will explore how behavioural science can transform digital services and improve outcomes in pet rehoming. Using the redesign of Blue Cross’s adoption platform as a case study, it will examine how behaviour change principles can encourage informed decision-making, reduce unsuitable applications, and create more engaging, supportive adoption journeys. Jane Clements is Head of Rehoming & Fostering Strategy at Blue Cross. A registered veterinary nurse with an MSc in Human Behaviour Change, she combines expertise in animal welfare, behavioural science, and strategic leadership to develop innovative, evidence-based approaches to rehoming and fostering. Her work focuses on creating sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for animals and the people who care for them.
– Changing minds for crustaceans: a decade of decapod protection: This talk will explore how perceptions of overlooked animals can be transformed through science-led advocacy, collaboration and behaviour change. Drawing on the journey of Crustacean Compassion, it will examine how engaging diverse audiences and creating practical opportunities for action can shift attitudes, influence policy and improve animal welfare outcomes. Laura Poulson is Campaign Director at Crustacean Compassion, where she leads initiatives to improve the welfare of decapod crustaceans through advocacy, education and engagement. With a background in national and international animal welfare campaigning, she brings together scientific evidence, strategic communications and cross-sector collaboration to develop practical, evidence-based solutions that drive lasting change for animals.
Just some of the other live talks are:
- A Q&A session and discussion with Jes Hooper (a zooanthropologist ethnographer) from The Civet Project, talking about her organisation’s behaviour-change informed work on the supply and demand of civet coffee.
- The science of nudge theory and diet – Jenna Reidi
- Talks about nature connectedness and psychology
and many more… We have a huge list of talks that will be featured but curating the programme between recorded and live talks will be done over the coming weeks and months.
Recorded talks
There will be recorded talks, which will be released each day onto the platform. These will be a mixture of lengths and formats from research-focused talks, to interviews, to case studies and more. Just a few examples of these are:
– The economics of doing good: applying CBA to charities: This talk will explain how cost–benefit analysis can help charities measure and communicate impact while recognising the limits and assumptions behind economic valuation. Ben Gardiner is COO at Cambridge Econometrics and specialises in regional economics, forecasting, and impact analysis. He also supports charitable work outside his professional role.
– Supporting veterinary staff to signpost to behavioural guidance: This project supports veterinary teams in helping dog owners access reliable behavioural guidance and improve confidence in addressing dogs’ emotional wellbeing. Tamsin Durston is a veterinary nurse and clinical animal behaviourist whose work focuses on behaviour-informed veterinary care and emotional wellbeing in practice.
– An interview with Alice Oven – Addressing knowledge gaps through publishing books: Alice Oven will discuss how publishing can close knowledge gaps and expand access to animal welfare and veterinary topics. Alice is a senior publishing editor with extensive experience in veterinary and life science publishing and is the author of The Clean Pet Food Revolution.
– A conversation between HBCL’s Suz and Jo reflecting on Suz’s experiences in setting up a Climate Café (as part of a group of people) and the lessons learned about humans, behaviour change in more through the process.
and much more… We have a huge list of talks that will be featured but curating the programme between recorded and live talks will be done over the coming weeks and months.
10 years on thread
Throughout the week, we will have speakers who attended the very first conference in Dorking return to share where their work has taken them since that event. We are humbled by the huge response we have had as we’ve been contacting them and feel very privileged to welcome so many back to speak 10 years on.
Just two examples are:
1. The last ten years of behavioural influence: what we have learnt, what we don’t know and what Is to come with Professor Jeff French: This talk reviews a decade of developments in behavioural influence, examining emerging theories, new research, and evolving good practice in addressing complex health, social, economic, and environmental challenges. It explores the opportunities and limitations of behavioural approaches, highlights ethical considerations surrounding AI and social media, and considers what is needed to develop more sophisticated, evidence-informed interventions in the future.
Professor Jeff French is an internationally recognised expert in social marketing, health communication, behavioural influence, and citizen-focused programme design and evaluation. A Visiting Professor at the University of Brighton and Doshisha University, he has advised governments, NGOs, and international organisations including the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Through his academic, policy and consultancy work, he has played a leading role in shaping the theory and practice of social marketing and behavioural influence internationally.
2. Leadership and strategy with Richard Casey: This talk will reflect on the journey from influencing individual behaviour to supporting organisational transformation. Drawing on leadership experience and doctoral research, Richard will explore how meaningful change is less about structures and processes and more about creating environments where people feel heard, trusted and empowered to contribute.
Richard Casey is Executive Director of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and Past President of the Veterinary Management Group. With extensive experience in strategy, governance and organisational development, he supports professional associations and leaders to navigate change and create lasting value. His work combines academic research with practical leadership experience, focusing on collaboration, adaptive strategy and building organisations where people and communities can thrive.
Well-being thread
Throughout the week, we will look after you all – we are not meant to sit and watch all day. We will include movement breaks and much more. We can’t wait to share some of the things we have planned.
Resources
We will upload resources, links, offers and other exciting things to the platform throughout the week.
