Curriculum Research Areas
Animal Welfare Science • Veterinary Ethics • Sustainable Livestock Systems • Quality of Animal-Derived Products • Consumer Behaviour • Precision Livestock Farming
Academic Biography
Eleonora Nannoni is Associate Professor of Animal Science (AGR/19) at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
She is a European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law (EBVS®) and a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (subspecialty Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law – ECAWBM-AWSEL). She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Examination Subcommittee of the College and is a member of the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW).
Her research focuses on integrating animal welfare, veterinary ethics, product quality and sustainability to promote responsible livestock production and support evidence-based decision-making. Working at the interface between veterinary medicine, animal science and society, she develops interdisciplinary research aimed at improving animal welfare, the quality of animal-derived products and the sustainability of livestock systems, while addressing the environmental, economic and societal challenges facing modern animal production.
Her main research interests include animal welfare assessment, sustainable livestock systems, quality of animal-derived products, veterinary ethics, consumer perception of animal-derived products and precision livestock farming. More recently, her research has expanded to include positive animal welfare, animal-centred design and innovation in veterinary education, with particular emphasis on translating scientific evidence into veterinary practice, public policy and livestock production systems.
She collaborates with several national and international institutions, including EFSA, Wageningen University & Research, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CREA, The Open University and the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, participating in European research projects, international scientific working groups and scientific consultancy activities.
Alongside her research, she actively contributes to the international scientific community as Editor of Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) and BMC Agriculture, Guest Editor for international journals, and reviewer for leading journals in animal science, veterinary medicine and animal welfare.
Her teaching reflects the same interdisciplinary approach that characterises her research. Through active learning, case-based discussions and practical activities, she encourages students to develop critical thinking and integrate scientific evidence, ethical reasoning and sustainability into veterinary practice.
Education
She graduated cum laude in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Bologna in 2008 and obtained a PhD in Food Science, Animal Nutrition and Food Safety (SANASA) in 2013.
She completed research and training periods at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Guelph and Wageningen University & Research.
Academic Career
Since 2021 she has been Associate Professor of Animal Science (AGR/19) at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna.
Previously, she served as Assistant Professor (RTD-A and RTD-B) and Research Fellow at the same Department.
She holds the Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN) for Full Professor in Animal Science.
Teaching Activities
She teaches in the Degree Programme in Veterinary Medicine and in the international Master's Degree Programme Food Animal Metabolism and Management in the Circular Economy (FAMCE).
Her teaching mainly focuses on animal welfare, quality of animal-derived products, sustainable livestock systems, veterinary ethics and practical veterinary training.
In addition to her institutional teaching at the University of Bologna, she regularly contributes to international educational initiatives as an invited lecturer in Summer Schools, Erasmus+ programmes, advanced training courses and international schools dedicated to animal welfare, veterinary ethics and sustainable livestock production. She also delivers invited lectures, seminars and specialist courses at universities, research institutions and scientific societies.
She supervises undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, contributing to the training of future researchers in animal welfare, veterinary ethics and sustainable livestock production.
Research Activity
She coordinates and participates in national and European research projects focusing on animal welfare, quality of animal-derived products, sustainable livestock systems, veterinary ethics and innovation in animal production.
She is Principal Investigator of research contracts and scientific consultancy projects with public institutions, industry and European organisations, and participates in competitive national and European research projects.
She maintains active collaborations with universities, research centres and international organisations, contributing to the development of scientific tools and practical solutions for veterinary practice, livestock production and European policies.
Institutional and Academic Appointments
At the University of Bologna she has held and currently holds institutional responsibilities related to teaching, internationalisation and quality assurance.
These include:
- Delegate for Internationalisation of the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (2021–2024).
- Delegate for Internationalisation of the international Master's Degree Programme Food Animal Metabolism and Management in the Circular Economy (FAMCE).
- Member of the Departmental Joint Committee of Faculty and Students.
- Member of the Teaching Committee of the School of Specialisation in Animal Health, Animal Husbandry and Livestock Production.
- Member of the Advisory Board of the Degree Programme in Veterinary Medicine.
She also holds the following international appointments:
- Member of the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW).
- Vice-Chair of the Examination Subcommittee of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM-AWSEL).
- EFSA Individual Scientific Advisor (ISA Expert).
Editorial Activities
- Editor, Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio).
- Editor, BMC Agriculture.
- Guest Editor, Animals.
- Guest Editor, Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
- Reviewer for numerous international journals in animal science, veterinary medicine and animal welfare.
Awards and Honours
- European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law (EBVS®).
- Pierfilippo Guadagnini Award (2015).
- Archimede Mordenti Award (2014).
- First Prize for Best Poster Presentation, International Congress of Meat Science and Technology (ICOMST, Montréal, 2012).
Current Research
- Animal welfare assessment and development of welfare indicators.
- Sustainable livestock systems.
- Quality of animal-derived products.
- Veterinary ethics and evidence-based decision-making.
- Consumer perception and animal-friendly production.
- Precision livestock farming and positive animal welfare.
- Animal-centred design in research.
- Innovation in veterinary education.
