Dr. Shelly Volsche is an Instructional Assistant Professor of Anthropology and the Anthropology Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Mississippi. She is an anthropologically trained behavioral scientist, specializing in behavioral ecology, cognition, and the human-animal bond. Her work has been featured in The Atlantic, NPR’s Fresh Air, and other media outlets.
Research Interests
Dr. Volsche's research interests include behavioral ecology, cognition, and human-animal interactions. Humans and animals lived in shared spaces, making their cognition and welfare inextricably intertwined. From the inclusion of companion animals in kinship systems, to the potential impacts of humans working in animal care and welfare industries, Dr. Volsche is keen to look at both sides of the human-animal bond to find ways to improve outcomes for all. Her mission is to help multispecies communities thrive.
Biography
Dr. Volsche earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Anthropology and her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This interdisciplinary training, combined with years of experience in the animal training and welfare industry, drives her to ask questions beyond the lab. In addition to her academic studies, she is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Fear Free Professional, and an animal welfare advocate.
Teaching and mentorship are at the core of Dr. Volsche’s research, as she firmly believes in the value of engaging tomorrow’s scholars and professionals. She has supervised student research at all levels and is currently co-advising a Ph.D. student in Boise State University’s Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior program.
Select Publications
Volsche, S., Wathan, J., Capponi, G., Abbas, N., Kavata, L., Ontillera, R., Zoubek, E., & Ramasawmy, M. (2024). Cross-cultural variation in human-animal interactions, in Introduction to the human dimensions in human-animal interactions: Insights from social and life sciences, Maréchal, L., & van der Zee, E. (eds). London: Routledge.
Volsche, S., Schultz, S., Alsaifi, S., Melamies, M., & Pulkkinen, J. (2023). Parental status influences human-to-pet caregiving behaviors, attachment, and attitudes in a Finnish sample. Human-Animal Interactions, 11(1). doi:10.1079/hai.2023.0019
Volsche, S., Gunnip, H., Brown, C., Kiperash, M., Root-Gutteridge, H., & Horowitz, A. (2023). Dogs produce distinct play pant: Confirming Simonet et al. 2001. International Journal of Comparative Psychology. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8t78q9xk
Volsche, S., Root-Gutteridge, H., Korzeniowska, A., & Horowitz, A. (2023). Centring individual animals to improve research and citation practices. Biological Reviews, 98(2), 421-433. doi:10.1111/brv.12912
Volsche, S., Frailey, F., Ihara, N., & Nittono, H. (2022). Sex and parental status impacts human-to-pet attachment and caregiving attitudes and behaviors in a Japanese sample. Anthrozoös, 36(3), 309-321. doi:10.1080/08927936.2022.2149926
Volsche, S., & Johnson, E. (2022). Not so different as cats and dogs: Companionship during the COVID-19 pandemic. People & Animals, 5(1), 1-7. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol5/iss1/1/
Courses Taught
- Anth 101 Introduction to Anthropology
- Anth 349 Medical Anthropology
Education
Ph.D. Anthropology, The University of Mississippi (2017)