Dr Jacqui Wilmshurst
Research Student
School of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care
Biography
What are the ethical challenges in choosing permanent captivity over death on behalf of unreleasable rescued wild animals in a sanctuary context? What cultural narratives influence decision-making on captivity, welfare, and quality of life?
What is the role of the human-animal caregiving relationship in this context?
(Book chapter, 'Better off Dead?' accepted for publication by The Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics).
Within the named roles of 'keeper' and 'rehabilitator', what does it mean also to be a surrogate mother, a guardian, a nurse, physiotherapist and, sometimes, their only kin?
What are the roles of wider relationships, with other humans, in the care and rehabilitation of these animals - advocate, champion, educator, client (e.g. vets), peer, mentee, researcher?
As the owner of a licensed sanctuary specialising in the rehabilitation and long-term care of grey squirrels and corvids who cannot return to the wild, I use multispecies autoethnography to explore these questions through my lived experience.
Along with academic contribution to knowledge in anthrozoology, multispecies methodology, multispecies care ethics and more, the research is designed to inform thinking and practice for those caring for rescued, non-domesticated (whether captive- or wild-born) animals in permanent captivity. The emphasis is on sanctuary care, as opposed to contexts in which animals are in captivity for human interests.
I have a previous academic background in social, health and environmental psychology.
In addition to my work as an academic, I was previously an officer in the British Army (retired as Captain) and a leader in mental health and wellbeing in large complex organisations including the BBC, Meta and TikTok. I am a Chartered Member and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Socety, in the Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology.
As of summer 2026 I am training to be an animal physiotherapist as part of my sanctuary care and rehabilitation practice.
www.akesoanimalrehab.co.uk
www.jacquiwilmshurst.com
Research interests
Human-Animal Relationships
Rehabilitation & care across species boundaries
Narrative Methods
Anthrozoology
Multispecies Methodology
Multispecies Care Ethics
Disability Studies
Animal Welfare
Trauma Rehabilitation
Wellbeing and Resilience
Teaching interests
Human-Animal Studies
Anthrozoology
Environmental & Conservation Psychology
Health & Wellbeing
