Hi, I'm Dr. Tiamat Warda
(and that's Inka).
My aim is to bring together academic knowledge
with practitioner expertise to initiate
sustainable, regulated, meaningful change
for all stakeholders in multispecies workplaces.
I'm an anthrozoologist of Assyrian heritage who has lived in northern California, Germany, and the UK. Currently, I work as a Postdoctoral Researcher in project PAWWS at the University of Lapland.
My academic interest rests at the intersection of Animal Organization Studies and emotion management. With expertise in interspecies emotional labour, I work to understand how management theories, regulation, and education can be advanced to improve sustainable and ethical emotional labour practices between humans and individuals of other species.
4th Society & Animals Early Career Research Prize
What an honour to have been awarded the 4th Society & Animals Early Career Research Prize for 2022, for one of my publications! It is now available as an open access article.
Some recent publications
“Jingle Bells”: How do bells affect the well-being, safety, and identity of guide dog teams?
Emotions at Work: Acknowledging Interspecies Emotional Labor of Guide Dog Mobility Instructors.
“Same old ding dong”: The impact of the initial lockdown in 2020 on Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Interspecies emotion management: The importance of distinguishing between emotion work and emotional labour.
My work
In project PAWWS, I continue to develop current understandings concerning how to establish roadmaps toward sustainable, regulated work for humans and dogs in Finland within the discipline of Animal Organization Studies. To do so, I take a qualitative, highly interdisciplinary, holistic approach as part of a wonderful team from animal organisation studies, veterinary medicine, as well as social and health sciences.
With over a decade of professional experience in the assistance dog sector, I continue to work in the industry as an assistance dog team exam supervisor. This involves developing, organising, and supervising theory and practical exams that allow assistance dog teams to become legally qualified in Germany.
Further, I am conducting research funded by Aktion Mensch and carried out by the Assistance Dog Foundation that aims to provide assistance dog schools and relevant stakeholders with data concerning the current realities and needs of assistance dog professionals with disabilities.
Previously, in a Strategic Partnership concerned with developing a curriculum for assistance dog professionals, I worked as a research consultant. This was an EU-programme and part of an Erasmus+ grant from the Federal Ministry for Education in Germany, funded by the European Union.
My background
I obtained my MA in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter with a strong distinction and a "Dean's Commendation for Exceptional Performance" award in 2019 - completing my PhD at the same programme.
This followed six years of working full-time as a guide dog instructor (GDMI) in Frankfurt, Germany. During this time, I became a certified dog trainer and behaviour consultant by the IHK.
I also love horses.
I was the first working student for 5-star Parelli instructor David Lichman, following years of working with horses and gentling mustangs in Northern California. Together with my dog, Mowgli, and horse, Oliver, I performed at a Parelli event in Reno - receiving a personal invitation to intern with Pat Parelli.
Here are some groups I created & manage
Anthrozoology Publishing
Animal Organization Studies
International Anthrozoology PhDs
Network, exchange, support!
Reading Group
In the Animal Organization Studies group shared above, I host a (virtual) reading group discussion in the last week of every month. This has been a wonderfully friendly, constructive space.
With a new person sharing a reading each month, literature is exchanged and discussed across disciplines. It is fun to see the countless, at times unexpected, connections that are made during these calls!
To take part, join the group and then check the "events" tab for upcoming discussions. It would be so lovely to see you there!
