Bridging science and sensitivity: Academic’s work sparks rethink on animal research ethics
Dr Rebekah Humphreys’ new animation and podcast challenge emotional detachment in science and call for a more ethically sensitive approach to research.
While much of modern science prides itself on objectivity and clinical precision, a new research-led project from UWTSD philosophy academic Dr Rebekah Humphreys is challenging researchers to reconsider the emotional dimensions of their work particularly in ethically charged fields like animal experimentation.
At the heart of Dr Humphreys’ work is the concept of desensitisation and extreme compartmentalisation: psychological processes that allow professionals to emotionally detach from ethically difficult tasks. Common in contexts such as animal testing, healthcare, and military research, these mechanisms are often seen as necessary for professionals to continue functioning effectively. But what happens, Dr Humphreys asks, when detachment goes too far?
“There’s a real danger that when we distance ourselves emotionally from the ethical weight of our work, we start to lose the ability or the willingness to ask critical questions,” says Dr Humphreys. “Compartmentalisation can dull not just our feelings, but our moral attention.”
From Philosophy to Public Engagement
To explore these questions, Dr Humphreys recently collaborated with Research Outreach to record a podcast unpacking the ethical landscape of animal research, and worked with SciAni to produce a short animated film that vividly illustrates the internal conflict a scientist might experience.
The result is an engaging, thought-provoking package of public-facing content that brings academic philosophy into dialogue with everyday ethical dilemmas.
- đź´ř Listen to the podcast:
- 🎥 Watch the animation:
“We wanted the animation in particular to make the emotional experience visible,” says Dr Humphreys. “It’s about capturing that subtle erosion of ethical sensitivity that can happen when practices become normalised.”
Re-sensitising Science
Drawing on philosophical ethics and real-world observations, Dr Humphreys’ research makes a compelling case for “re-sensitising” science and reintroducing emotional reflection as a legitimate part of ethical research practice. Far from being a hindrance to scientific progress, feelings of discomfort or uncertainty can serve as important moral signals.
This interdisciplinary approach also highlights the need for closer collaboration between the sciences and the humanities. Philosophy, Dr Humphreys argues, is uniquely equipped to probe the moral grey areas that technical guidelines or regulatory checklists may overlook.
“Science tells us what we can do. Philosophy asks whether we should,” she says. “When those two perspectives come together, the result is a more rounded, responsive approach to ethical decision-making.”
Resonating Across Disciplines
While her work centres on animal research, the themes resonate far more widely. Emotional detachment can be seen across a range of fields. From artificial intelligence to environmental policy, complex ethical issues risk being flattened into technical problems or brushed aside entirely.
“There’s a tendency to treat emotional responses as unscientific or irrational,” Dr Humphreys explains. “But they’re often pointing us towards something we need to take seriously.”
This has particular relevance in teaching, where Dr Humphreys incorporates these ideas into modules that encourage students to explore not just ethical frameworks, but the lived experience of making difficult decisions.
“We talk a lot about ethics in terms of rules and outcomes, but not enough about what it feels like to make a choice that has real consequences,” she says. “That’s a gap the humanities can help fill.”
Creative Communication, Real Impact
The podcast and animation are not just outreach tools. They’re also examples of how complex academic ideas can be communicated in ways that engage public audiences and stir reflection.
By combining philosophical inquiry with creative storytelling, Dr Humphreys is helping to shape a more emotionally aware and ethically grounded research culture - one that values not just compliance, but conscience.
As debates around animal rights, scientific responsibility, and emotional labour continue to unfold, her work provides a timely reminder that sometimes, feeling deeply is not a weakness but a vital part of thinking clearly.
Dr Rebekah Humphreys is a senior lecturer in philosophy at the ĂÜĚŇ´«Ă˝, and a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She specialises in applied ethics, particularly animal ethics and environmental ethics.
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