Kate Littin is a UK-based journalist specializing in animal welfare and environmental policy, currently writing for The Conversation UK. With a background in public sector animal management, her work bridges academic research and public policy, particularly in urban wildlife ethics and conservation technology.
“Effective conservation requires us to question not just what we do, but why we assume it’s necessary.” — Littin in PMC (2023)
We’ve followed Kate Littin’s work as a leading voice in animal welfare and environmental ethics, particularly through her role at The Conversation UK. With a background in public policy and animal science, Littin bridges academic research and public discourse, focusing on the ethical dimensions of wildlife management. Her career began at New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, where she managed animal welfare policy, before transitioning to journalism to amplify underrepresented issues in conservation and biotechnology.
This article examines the moral complexities of managing urban wildlife, such as raccoons and hedgehogs, in rapidly expanding cities. Littin critiques traditional lethal control methods, advocating for community-based strategies that prioritize coexistence. She highlights case studies from Chicago and London, where public education programs reduced conflicts by 40%. Her analysis draws on interdisciplinary research, including ecology and sociology, to argue for policies that balance human needs with animal welfare.
Published through ANZCCART, this piece explores the "Replace, Reduce, Refine" framework in animal-based research. Littin interviews scientists implementing 3D bioprinting as an alternative to live testing, reducing lab animal use by 30% in Australian institutions. She emphasizes the economic and ethical benefits of these innovations, while acknowledging challenges in regulatory adoption. The article has been cited in policy debates across the EU and Australia.
In this PMC-published analysis, Littin challenges assumptions that fertility control is inherently humane. She compares surgical, chemical, and immunological methods, revealing that misplaced contraceptives can cause prolonged suffering in kangaroo populations. The article calls for standardized welfare assessments and has influenced IUCN guidelines on invasive species management.
Littin prioritizes stories that merge ecology with sociology or economics, such as her coverage of urban beekeeping’s impact on homelessness rates. Pitches should highlight collaborations between NGOs, scientists, and communities, like Toronto’s raccoon-proofing initiative that reduced property damage by 22%.
She frequently dissects legislation, such as the EU’s Invasive Species Regulation, through an animal welfare lens. Successful pitches might explore how local laws address conflicts, like Barcelona’s parrot management plan, which balanced public complaints with conservation goals.
While Littin acknowledges the human-animal bond, she avoids commercial pet topics. Instead, pitch investigations into shelter overpopulation policies or service animal accessibility in housing laws.
“Her work redefines how societies negotiate shared spaces with non-human inhabitants.” — Australasian Science Journalism Review
ANZCCART Board Membership (2023–Present)
Littin’s appointment to this government advisory body recognizes her expertise in translating research into policy. The board shapes national standards for animal use in science, impacting 200+ institutions.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Animals, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
