Charlotte Smith announced as winner of IFAW-CAW student essay competition 2021

We're delighted to announce Charlotte Smith as the winner of the 2021 student essay competition in collaboration with our long-time partner, the University of Winchester's Centre for Animal Welfare (CAW). The pioneering Centre, launched in 2016, offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and positively contributes to animal welfare advancement through research, education and engagement in critical social debates.

The annual competition asks students to submit an essay that provides innovative solutions to challenging conservation issues, with a focus on human impact on wild animals, such as the commodification or destruction of wildlife. Charlotte's winning essay, The Ethics and Environmental Consequences of Gamebird Keeping and Shooting in the UK explores the issues surrounding the industry's outdated management practices.

"Gamebirds constitute a neglected population of many millions of sentient animals, who suffer greatly when hunted for sport. Their rearing and use within hunts also substantially and adversely impacts local native taxa and ecosystems. Charlotte Smith’s excellent essay casts an important light on this under-appreciated animal welfare and conservation issue," commented Andrew Knight, Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics, at the University of Winchester Centre for Animal Welfare. 

James Sawyer, Regional Director of IFAW UK, noted: "Congratulations to Charlotte Smith who has won the CAW/IFAW animal welfare essay competition this year. Her essay on The Ethics and Environmental Consequences of Gamebird Keeping and Shooting in the UK impressed the panel with its level of thinking and research. IFAW is all about Fresh Thinking and Bold Action and clearly, Charlotte is as well!"

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Charlotte on producing such a thought-provoking essay. Check out her winning entry here: Microsoft Word - Charlotte Smith CAW-IFAW Essay Competition 2021.docx (winchester.ac.uk)

Is there an animal welfare or conservation issue that is close to your heart and you feel passionate about? Perhaps it's the dwindling landscapes for koalas in Australia or the barbaric slaughter of seal pups in Canada? Please visit our take action page for the latest petitions and pledges. Take a stand for animals and people around the world today.