Ms. Joni Delanoeije | Feline Behavior | Best Researcher Award

Post-Doctoral Researcher | Katholieke University of Leuven | Belgium

Dr. Joni Delanoeije is a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer in Work and Organisational Studies at KU Leuven and the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), specializing in organizational psychology, ethology, and human-animal interaction. She holds a PhD in Business Economics from KU Leuven, an MSc in Psychology with a focus on Theory and Research, and postgraduate certifications in Animal Behavior and Dog Assisted Interventions. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges psychology, ethology, and anthrozoology, with a research agenda centered on biophilic design, sustainable multispecies interactions, and employee well-being in both natural and digitized environments. Dr. Delanoeije has led and secured competitive research grants for pioneering projects on dogs in (home-)workplaces and campus settings, collaborating internationally with institutions across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She has published in top-tier journals and her work has received widespread media coverage. She serves as Lead of Policy and Research Standards on the board of IAHAIO and contributes as an expert to various advisory bodies, including policy committees and academic networks. Her achievements have earned her numerous honors, such as keynote invitations, best paper awards, editorial recognitions, and placements among the most influential scholars in her field. A certified animal behavior consultant and educator, she integrates academic excellence with applied impact, advancing science-based approaches to human-animal well-being and sustainable work practices.