How we treat animals—whether as companions, for human-use, or conservation—depends not on what they actually think and feel, but on what humans believe they think and feel. This PhD project investigates how people perceive animal minds and how these perceptions drive moral consideration and behaviour toward different species.
While animal cognition research reveals what animals can actually do, human decisions about animal welfare, conservation, and rights rest entirely on our folk psychological beliefs about animal mental capacities. Understanding these perceptions, and how to influence them, is essential for evidence-based approaches to animal wellbeing, conservation, and welfare practices.
THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
Working within a social cognition and moral psychology framework, this programme of research will investigate questions like:
• How do perceptions of animal mental capacities (e.g., emotional, cognitive, social, perceptual) inform moral concern for diverse species?
• What mechanisms link mind perception to moral consideration and helping behaviours?
• How do cultural frameworks and individual differences shape these relationships?
• What are better measures for understanding how people conceptualise animal minds?
• What interventions might shift perceptions in ways that enhance moral consideration?
This project offers flexibility for the right student to develop their own research programme, with potential extensions to understanding moral consideration of other under-understood or marginalised groups.
WHAT WE OFFER:
• Integration with ongoing projects investigating mind perception and moral concern
• Supportive research culture focused on rigorous methods and theoretical contribution
• Support for conference presentations and publications
• Opportunities for paid teaching assistant positions in psychological research methods and data analysis courses
• Development of teaching portfolio through guest lectures and course material development
• Support for advanced quantitative methods and open science practices training
==NEXT STEPS==
→ Informal enquiries strongly encouraged to discuss your prior academic background, research interests, and the project's potential directions » michael.philipp@canterbury.ac.nz
→ Applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning December 2025.
→ Appointment contingent upon meeting UC's doctoral admission criteria.
→ International candidates welcome but must self-fund relocation to New Zealand.
Supervisors
Primary Supervisor: Michael Philipp
Key qualifications and skills
==Essential==
* Honours or Masters degree in psychology or related field (First Class or strong 2.1)
* Strong foundation in psychological research methods and quantitative data analysis
* Genuine interest in social cognition, folk psychology, and moral psychology
* Strong critical thinking and ability to clearly communicate ideas verbally and in writing
==Highly Valued but Not Required==
+ Background in social cognitive and folk psychology theory
+ Background in experimental design and causal inference
+ Experience with psychometric analysis and scale development
+ Cross-cultural perspectives on human-animal relationships including Te Ao Māori and indigenous perspectives.
+ Published research or conference presentations
+ Statistical programming skills (R, Python, or similar)
+ A curiosity for different methodological approaches and how they shape what we can know
Does the project come with funding
Yes: NZ$32,000 annual stipend (tax-free) • Full tuition fees covered • 3-year duration with full-time enrolment
Final date for receiving applications
Ongoing (review begins December 2025) • Start date flexible (earliest February 2026; latest July 2026)
How to apply
Email Dr Michael Philipp (michael.philipp@canterbury.ac.nz) with (1) CV, (2) academic transcripts, (3) 1-2 page statement describing your research interests, relevant experience, and how you see yourself contributing to this project (4) contact details for 2-3 academic references who can speak to your previous coursework and research experience, and optionally (5) any published research you have contributed to. =⭐︎= We expect applications to reflect the applicant’s own intellectual work and voice. Generic or templated statements will not be competitive.
Keywords
mind perception; moral psychology; human-animal interaction; social cognition; folk psychology; psychometrics; experimental psychology; cross-cultural psychology
