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Britta Osthaus

Dr Britta Osthaus

Senior Lecturer

School of Psychology and Life Sciences

I have been a senior lecturer in Psychology at CCCU since the autumn of 2007. I am currently the First Year Tutor.

Before this I was a teaching fellow at Exeter University whilst I was doing my PhD on canine problem-solving abilities.

My research focuses on animal cognition, in particular on problem-solving abilities in dogs, horses, mules and donkeys, but also goats, sheep and any other domestic animal.

I teach Research Methods in Year 1, and the optional seminars Evolutionary Psychology (Year 2), and Psychology of Design (Year 3).

At Level 4 (First Year) I teach Classic Studies and Practicals in Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology as part of the Brain and Mind module.

At Level 5 (Second Year) I offer an optional seminar on Evolutionary Psychology. In the newly validated programme, I will also offer a final year option in the Psychology of Design on Animal Cognition. I supervise a variety of final year projects, ranging from the evolutionary causes of dental phobia to quantity perception in horses and dogs.

I teach Research Methods in Year 1, and the optional seminars Evolutionary Psychology (Year 2), and Psychology of Design (Year 3). 

I am a member of the following societies and groups:

  • ASAB - Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
  • ISAE - International Society for Applied Ethology
  • ISAZ - International Society for Anthrozoology
  • HE - Academy formerly the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
  • Lundy Field Society

My research is in domestic animal cognition, and my teaching focus is research methods, evolutionary psychology, and psychology of design. Particularly dogs, horses, mules and donkeys, with the overall aim of improving welfare by enhancing our understanding of their thinking.

  • Shelter-seeking behaviour in domestic donkeys and horses in a temperate climate. International Society for Applied Ethology Conference, Charlottetown, Canada, 30. Juli – 3. August 2018.
  • Weathering the weather: effects of the environment on donkey, mule and horse welfare. UFAW Animal Welfare Conference - Recent Advances in Animal Welfare Science VI, Newcastle, 26. June 2018.
  • Evaluation of two observational methods to assess the numbers of nesting puffins (Fratercula arctica). International Conference in Protecting Biodiversity, Mannampandal, Tamil Nadu, India, 16.-18. February 2017.
  • Dogs are stupid - what science knows about dog intelligence. Middlesex University, 5. May 2016.
  • Face perception and detour behaviours in dogs. Queen Mary University London, 14. January 2016.
  • Dogs are stupid.Annual Research Conference, College of Arts and Science, Nottingham Trent University, 2. October 2015.
  • Detour behaviour in equines. International Equine Science Meeting, Nürtingen, June 2015.
  • Dogs are stupid. Keynote - "Recent Advances in Canine Behaviour", Anthrozoology Institute, School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, 25. April 2012.
  • Dogs are stupid. Reading University, October 2010.