Animal welfare science is a rapidly advancing field; understanding current research directions helps advocates identify where evidence gaps and investment needs are greatest.
Animal welfare science has matured significantly since its formal emergence in the 1960s and 70s. The field has moved from a focus on negative states and basic freedoms to a nuanced understanding of positive welfare, individual variation, and the mechanisms underlying animal experience. Key research frontiers include the assessment of positive emotional states, the welfare implications of novel technologies including gene editing and cultivated meat, wild animal welfare biology, and the development of non-invasive continuous monitoring tools for commercial settings. Investment in these areas by funding bodies, governments, and the private sector will determine the pace of welfare improvement in coming decades.