20th Nordic Symposium of the ISAE

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The International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) held its annual Nordic symposium at Oscarsborg from the 16th to the 18th of January 2008. The organisation was established as the Society for Veterinary Ethology (SVE) in 1966 in England by veterinarians specifically interested in animal behaviour.

However, the organisation grew and eventually covered all aspects of applied ethology. Members came from all over the world, and veterinarians became a small minority. The organisation therefore changed its name to International Society for Applied Ethology in 1991. Animal behaviour is still a major theme, but the scientific scope of ISAE is very broad, covering such issues as the effects of domestication and breeding on livestock behaviour, learning theory, feeding behaviour, etc. The organisation is associated with the international journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science (Elsevier). An international congress is held annually. Last year's congress was held in Mexico, whereas the 2008 congress will be held in Ireland.

ISAE is subdivided into regions; the Nordic region actually being the organisation's second largest. Each January, a Nordic symposium is held, alternating between the Nordic countries. This year's meeting was held at Oscarsborg in Oslo, Norway. The organising committee included 3 IHA staff members (Anne Lene Hovland, Kathrine Akre and Knut E. Bøe) and Adroaldo Zanella from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NVH). More than 60 participants attended the symposium from all Nordic countries, and 30 presentations were held during the three days (all held in English).

In addition, three plenary lectures were held. Senior Scientist Margit Bak Jensen from Aarhus University in Denmark (Dept. Foulum) gave a lecture titled Asking animals about their behavioural needs and preferences. Basic knowledge is essential in order to determine more specific goals and requirements regarding animal behaviour. Professor Tore Slagsvold from the University of Oslo gave a speech on mate choice and sexual imprinting. The third plenary lecture, held by Professor Cara Wellman from Indiana University in the USA, was titled Chronic Stress Effects in Prefrontal Cortex: Morphology, Chemistry, and Behavior.

According to tradition, younger scientists, PhD students and master students presented their work. This gives them useful experience for presentations at the larger, international congresses. The young scientists were also given the chance to chair various sessions.

Updated: 14.05.09
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