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Choosing a subject that you are passionate about is always a great starting point for your PhD research. And that is exactly what Erica Cheung is doing as she undertakes her studies at the University of Lincoln.
"I love animals and really want to make a difference in the field of horse welfare," says Erica, who is researching alongside Lincoln's renowned team of animal behaviour and welfare specialists. "I've been examining current management practices for performance horses working in various equestrian sports in a bid to understand why some bad practices, such as a lack of turnout, inadequate food, and the use of incorrect equipment, remain part of the care and training regimes for these animals.
"I'm also taking a detailed look some of the more controversial training practices, such as whip use, to gain a better understanding of what people feel about these methods, from both within the field of equestrianism and among the general public."
It really is incredible how much you grow as a person when undertaking a PhD. Studying at this level allows you to think more deeply and be braver in your research choices.
Erica Cheung
PhD Student, Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Erica's research is particularly timely given the well-publicised events surrounding British equestrian, Charlotte Dujardin, who withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympics just days before it started after footage emerged of her whipping a horse during a training session.
"I will be working on a case study of Charlotte Dujardin," says Erica. "In particular, I want to focus on the public response to the footage that was shared across social media platforms to find out what people were thinking and saying. I want to know if some people felt that this was acceptable behaviour and commonplace in the equestrian world."
As part of her research, Erica has also recruited participants from the UK, Canada, and the United States, who are sharing their opinions and experiences relating to horse welfare. "I've been able to elicit lots of useful information through open discussions with a wide range of people working in equestrianism," adds Erica. "These findings will form a crucial part of my final thesis."
The Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Research Group comprises a unique team of internationally renowned researchers addressing key questions relating to the development of novel observational, experimental, and computational methods to measure and understand welfare and improve the lives of animals.
"I'm only a year into my PhD, but I’ve already grown as a researcher, developing lots of new skills," says Erica. "I chose to study at Lincoln because of the reputation of the animal behaviour and welfare academics working at the University. I've been blessed to have such a fantastic and knowledgeable supervisory team, which includes Professor Daniel Mills and Dr Beth Ventura.
"We all just clicked straight away. I actually live in Canada but have never felt isolated or alone. We have regular online meetings and they are always on hand to offer invaluable advice to keep me on track."
For Erica, the whole experience has been an extremely positive one. "The support has been amazing, but I've also enjoyed the qualitative side to my research. My previous studies were much more data focused and I've found that my current methodology offers a greater depth and richness, while also giving me the opportunity to connect with people during discussions and meetings.
"I'd love to continue to use and develop these skills after I have completed my PhD. It would be great to undertake a post-doctoral role or move into teaching, sharing some of the passion that I have for the subject to future animal welfare students and specialists."