Janja Sirovnik Koscica studied veterinary medicine at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. This was followed by PhD studies in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bern, Switzerland. In her dissertation, Janja Sirovnik Koscica focused on the effects of feeding positioning and the feeding place on the behavior of laying hens, the distribution between feeding places as well as health and productivity. Sirovnik Koscica also looked at the benefits of portable digital radiography for assessing sternum damage in poultry.

Janja Sirovnik Koscica worked as a postdoc at Justus Liebig University in Giessen before moving to the Center for Animal Nutrition and Animal Welfare Sciences at Vetmeduni in 2020.

Her current research interests include telomere dynamics as an indicator of cumulative life experience in farm animals, automatic recognition of behavior and emotions in chickens, and risk factors and solutions for sternum fractures on Austrian farms.

Sirovnik Koscica heads the Poultry Department at the Center for Animal Nutrition and Animal Welfare Sciences at the Vetmeduni and was appointed Assistant Professor on 1 February 2025. In future, she will supplement the research and teaching focus on sustainability and animal welfare in livestock and expand it further in order to consolidate scientific evidence for the further development of livestock science. 
Janja Sirovnik Koscica is a member of the Committee for Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare of the Austrian Society of Veterinarians (ÖGT-TuT) and President of the World Poultry Science Association - Austria (WPSA-AT).

As an assistant professor of animal welfare science in livestock, Borbala Foris is driving forward research at the intersection of positive social behavior and automated measurement methods in order to make behavioral changes usable as indicators. Born in Hungary, she focuses primarily on precision livestock farming (PLF).

Zur Presseinformation - in German

Scientists from BOKU and Vetmeduni have developed a WhatsApp crime game that sheds light on the interrelationships of the animal food supply and shows how each individual's consumption decisions influence it. Exciting, educational and with a clear focus on sustainability.

COwLEARNING

Zur Presseinformation - in German

International Team Establishes First Definition of Positive Animal Welfare

An interdisciplinary team of scientists from 23 institutions across 15 countries has proposed a long-awaited definition of Positive Animal Welfare (‘PAW’). For decades, animal welfare science has largely focused on minimizing suffering. This pioneering paper breaks new ground by highlighting the importance of positive experiences and positive states for animals. The consensus reached by the team defines positive animal welfare as the animal flourishing through the experience of predominantly positive mental states and the development of competence and resilience. This novel definition lays the foundation for a richer, more comprehensive understanding of animal welfare. This effort is part of a European project called ‘LIFT, lifting farm animal lives’, funded by COST and regrouping over 330 scientists.

According to lead author Prof. Jean-Loup Rault from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, "Positive Animal Welfare goes beyond good physical health and the alleviation of suffering. It is about promoting the ability of animals to flourish through rewarding experiences, choice, and the active pursuit of goals". It offers a different perspective on animal welfare and set higher standards. Providing positive welfare to animals could be encouraged by, for example, providing enough space for calves to play, as play can be deeply rewarding. Similarly, pigs housed with plenty of straw are more satisfied, as their natural motivation to explore is fulfilled.

This groundbreaking definition is expected to drive innovative research and better align animal care practices with societal expectations on how to keep and care for animals. As co-author Prof. Margit Bak Jensen notes, "This definition represents an important step towards a substantial improvement for the welfare of animals across farms, homes, and zoos." In short, the future of animal welfare has arrived, and it’s aiming for a good life.

Scientific article

Rault J-L et al. 2025 A consensus on the definition of positive animal welfare. Biology Letters 21: 20240382

Scientific contact
Univ.-Prof. Jean-Loup Rault PhD E-Mail

At the ITT, we strive to strengthen our collegiality and the "team spirit" with joint activities (on a voluntary basis) and so -several times a year- we go on trips, visit Christmas markets or museums or have a BBQ-afternoon.

In June 2023 we visited the parrot station of the ARGE, which new location was opened in 2022, in the 9th district of Vienna. The association, founded in 1995, runs a donation-financed sanctuary for unwanted parrots, e.g. birds, that have been confiscated by the authorities. The parrot protection center is run as an approved animal shelter and is under scientific management. The stock now has a size of about 180 animals, ranging from budgerigars to macaws. The sanctuary is run according to the principles of zoological parrot husbandry, i.e. the birds are kept in compatible groups in well-structured flight enclosures. The association also offers support and advice on finding a partner for lonely single parrots and is a nationally unique and internationally recognized contact point for questions about the species-appropriate keeping of exotic birds.

We would like to congratulate the association on this successful project of the new protection center, like to say thank you for the interesting tour and are pleased to announce that we were able to initiate a future internship cooperation for prospective veterinarians. (Contact via secretariat if interested)