Sign in

Andrea Polanco, PhD

@andreapolanco.bsky.social
1.1K followers 651 following 59 posts

Ⓥ Social science researcher at Faunalytics | #FirstGenPhD | PhD in animal welfare science | She/her | Views my own

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Faunalytics @faunalytics.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
New from Faunalytics: 50% of non-vegan Gen Z Indians say they’re open to going vegan — but most just need better info to get there. 🌱 Full study → faunalytics.org/plant-based-...
faunalytics.org
The Multi-Generational Kitchen: How To Market Plant-Based Eating To Indian Gen Z Households - Faunalytics
Faunalytics surveyed hundreds of Indian Gen Z adults, asking about household food dynamics, food choice motivations, familiarity with plant-based products, and barriers to plant-based eating. Our repo...
051
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
We're looking for speakers for our upcoming remote symposium in Sept! Last year we had great talks on fish advocacy, anti-vivisection, and farmed animal welfare. Please consider submitting a proposal if you research/teach about any of these topics or another topic relevant to animal advocacy!
011
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Did companies meet the popular 2025 deadline to go #cage-free? As of February 2026, only 64% of global cage-free egg commitments with a deadline of 2025 or earlier have been fulfilled vs. 93% of those with a 2024 deadline. New analysis from @faunalytics.bsky.social 🔗 faunalytics.org/tactics-in-p...
Infographic titled “Figure 5. Summary of Evidence for Cage-Free Egg Corporate Outreach & Commitments.”

On the left, a vertical flow with icons presents four key points:

1) Consumers are willing to pay more for higher-welfare products—up to 40 cents more for cage-free eggs and $0.40–$1 more per pound for slow-growth chicken.
2) Corporate outreach encourages companies to make public commitments to higher-welfare policies.
3) Corporate commitments increase cage-free housing.
4) Cage-free housing and better chicken commitment (BCC) policies help prevent animal suffering.

On the right, a stacked bar chart compares progress toward commitments. For cage-free commitments, 64% have been fulfilled and 36% remain. For BCC commitments, only 6% have been fulfilled while 94% remain unmet. A note emphasizes that not all companies have kept their promises.
021
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
"In an age when so many books are being banned, when the rights of women, and BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ people are regressing in many places, reading love stories can be a radical act of empathy and self-care." My wonderful friend's take on romance books: sophicandsmutty.substack.com/p/disdain-fo...
sophicandsmutty.substack.com
🚩Disdain for Romance is a Red Flag for Misogyny🚩
It's my hill and I will die on it if I want to
010
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
elisa freschi @elisafreschi.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The list might get long, but some of my favourites: —Other minds. the octopus, the sea, and the deep origins of consciousness. P. Godfrey-Smith. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 2016 1/ #AnimalMinds #OtherMinds
222
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Thank you so much!! This is exactly what I was looking for!
010
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
I want to read more about the philosophy of consciousness (not sentience) in non-human animals, particularly on self-consciousness and self-awareness. I know @birchlse.bsky.social has worked on this. Who else can I add to my reading queue? Thanks!
131
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D. @ertrunnell.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Plot Twist 🔃 Scientists don’t want to be experimented on. A new qualitative study by @c-rp.bsky.social et al. asked animal research professionals to imagine themselves as the test subjects, under the control of hyperintelligent extraterrestrials applying the #3Rs to experiments on humans.
A graphic featuring a human being abducted by a spaceship over the background of a starry night sky. The text reads, "Don't worry... we use the 3Rs! A discussion of “We are the Earthworms! Aliens Using 3R on Humans: A Qualitative Experimental Ethics Study with Animal Research Professionals” by Rodriguez Perez, Persson, and Shaw"
173
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D. @ertrunnell.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Useful new data from @faunalytics.bsky.social's @andreapolanco.bsky.social 👇
031
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Prolific has addressed this: www.prolific.com/resources/ho...
prolific.com
How Prolific detects bots and AI in online research | Prolific
Learn about the multi-layered protections that bring you genuine, human participants
001
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
FYI for those who rely on online panels for data collection (e.g., surveys, polls, online experiments, etc): www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
AI chatbots are infiltrating social-science surveys — and getting better at avoiding detection
A researcher has created a chatbot that is indistinguishable from human participants in online surveys. Some researchers fear that a workhorse of social science is now under threat.
100
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
There are tons of more charts for people interested, as well as recommendations for advocates. I hope this resource helps advocates in Canada and the U.S. who are fighting for a world where we no longer harm animals against their consent. faunalytics.org/how-many-ani...
faunalytics.org
How Many Animals Are Used In Research? A Deep Look At The United States & Canada - Faunalytics
In this resource, we explore trends in the number of animals used in research in the United States and Canada, based on data tracked by government and nonprofit agencies for the past several decades.
011
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
There are also upward trends in monkey use in both countries, likely due to COVID as monkeys are commonly used for vaccine testing. As revealed by investigations, COVID research is connected to wildlife trafficking —plucking monkeys from the wild in Cambodia so they can be used in research overseas.
110
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
This is what the chart would look like if rodents were counted in the U.S. (assuming they make up 95% of all laboratory animals in the U.S.). This is actually still on the conservative end, as other people have estimated rodent numbers to be over 100 million annually: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
100
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
@faunalytics.bsky.social tracked the # of animals used in research in Canada (since 1985) & the U.S. (since 1973) as reported by gov't or national agencies. The # of tracked animals in science is increasing in Canada, but decreasing in the U.S. (But the USDA excludes rodents, fish, & other species)
142
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
What is your point?
100
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Some people need to read this metaphor to "get it."
040
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Articles like this are frustrating to read. They rarely discuss the ethics of animal testing & just accept the status quo that testing on non-consenting animals is morally okay. If other animals had similar rights to humans in research, most of it wouldn’t be allowed: faunalytics.org/why-we-need-...
faunalytics.org
Why We Need Proper Ethical Guidelines On Animal Research - Faunalytics
Bioethicists argue that a ‘Belmont Report’ – a document which outlines ethical guidelines for human research – is long overdue for non-human animal research.
140
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Say what you want about PETA, but they are the GOAT when it comes to antivivisection wins!
000
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Rise for Animals @riseforanimals.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Over a hundred years ago, one small brown dog became a symbol of resistance. His suffering sparked public outrage, riots, and a movement that still stands united against animal experimentation today. On National Brown Dog Day, we remember his story: riseforanimals.org/news/brown-d...
riseforanimals.org
Remembering the Brown Dog Who Helped Launch Our Movement
Over 100 years ago, the Brown Dog Affair exposed the cruelty of vivisection, sparked riots, and helped ignite a global movement against animal experimentation—an urgent story with lasting relevance to...
062
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D. @ertrunnell.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Colleagues & I worked with @usgao.bsky.social for a year to clarify a major discrepancy in NIH's reported spending on animal experimentation. Now GAO has re-released its report to more accurately reflect what we do & don't know about NIH’s use of public funds: www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2... 🧵👇
111
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Surprising Ethics podcast @surprising-ethics.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
New episode! What should parents feed their kids? Meat or plant-based? We use ethics, science and psychology to tackle this big one, and put 2 philosophers' arguments to the test with parents
143
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
cool! I just met someone who was born & raised vegan too
140
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Alpha Genesis mostly dunks on sanctuaries in their press release, w/o detailing their own infrastructure. I doubt they'll keep all retired monkeys in outdoor group settings: www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/... Their past negligence killed 22 monkeys: spectrumlocalnews.com/sc/south-car...
accessnewswire.com
Alpha Genesis Announces Research Animal Retirement and Lifetime Care Program to Preserve Animal Welfare, Research Continuity, and National Preparedness
ACCESS Newswire provides PR agencies with trusted press release distribution, media outreach tools, media lists, pitching features, analytics, monitoring, and dedicated support designed for multi-clie...
010
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
V skeptical of an animal testing company, w/ a history of negligence, claiming they should handle lab monkey retirement b/c sanctuaries can't (capacity is a real issue, but still). Buried in the PR fluff is the real goal: keeping retired animals for "future public health or biodefense emergencies."
130
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Colombia’s policy could be an opportunity to close this research gap & to better understand how humane ed can drive lasting change for animals. Learn more about humane education's impact here: faunalytics.org/tactics-in-p... And Colombia's new empathy law here: www.speciesunite.com/news-stories...
faunalytics.org
Tactics In Practice: The Data Behind Humane Education - Faunalytics
This deep dive explores the research on humane education — programs that teach the consequences of animal agriculture and/or respect for animals — examining how these initiatives influence dietary cho...
130
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
There’s v limited longitudinal research on humane ed delivered as an ongoing curriculum, making its impact hard to measure. That said, the evidence we do have is promising 👀 Even a single university lecture on the ethics of eating meat led to a 9% reduction in meat consumption lasting 3 years.
Bar chart titled “Figure 3. The Impact of Humane Education on Long-Term Diet Change,” with the subtitle “Long-Term Reductions.” The y-axis shows percentage from 0 to 100. Four studies are displayed. Two teal bars represent self-reported reductions: Bryant & Dillard (2020), measured 3–30 months later, shows a 52% reduction; Faunalytics (2022), measured up to five years later, shows a 58% reduction. Two orange bars represent actual meat purchase reductions: Jalil et al. (2020), measured over eight months, shows a 7.8% reduction; Jalil et al. (2023), measured over three years, shows a 9% reduction. A legend distinguishes self-reported reduction (teal) from actual meat purchase reduction (orange). A note states that compared to control groups, treatment participants ate less meat over the entire study period after receiving humane education in the studies by Jalil and colleagues (p < 0.01).
121
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Colombia just made animal protection education mandatory in schools, a great real-world example of humane education, which I recently researched for @faunalytics.bsky.social! The theory: sustained education ➡️ deeper thinking ➡️ empathy ➡️ empowered change. But there’s a big challenge...
1124
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
I finally completed my tattoo leg sleeve that commemorates laboratory animals (my PhD focused on lab monkeys). I love horror so I wanted this sleeve to be vengeful & to depict revenge (tw: gore). It was completed in 4 sessions by korztattoo in Montréal. #vegantattoo www.reddit.com/r/tattoos/s/...
reddit.com
From the tattoos community on Reddit: Anti-animal testing leg sleeve by Korztattoo/Lisa Korzenowski (Montréal, Canada)
Explore this post and more from the tattoos community
010
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
"The Environmental Protection Agency will stop using rabbits, mice, rats and other mammals to test the toxicity of chemicals by 2035." Big win for lab animals in the U.S. Unfortunately, however, the ban doesn't include fish. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/c...
nytimes.com
E.P.A. Promises a Ban on Animal Testing by 2035
0102
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
The Humane League @thehumaneleagueus.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
🐔 We're hiring! Visit thl.link/4ba4oYx for more information on our 5️⃣ open positions!
052
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
These are my best pictures of 2025 😤
Screenshot of list titled “My Top 2025 films.” A grid of 12 movie posters is shown. The posters include Sinners, Frankenstein, The Ugly Stepsister, Bugonia, Dracula, No Other Choice, One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, Weapons, 28 Years Later, Mickey 17, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
000
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
No Other Choice not included?? 🤯
0110
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
ugly stepsister finally getting the recognition it deserves
070
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Tracks Investigations @tracksinvest.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Some stories are only revealed through sound. Industry Standard is a vinyl album built from undercover field recordings gathered during investigations into animal industries. Sonic Art meets Animal Advocacy. Out 18 Jan (new moon). Pre-order: www.tracksinvestigations.org/industrystan...
062
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
For those who enjoy experimental music or want to listen to something new, I highly recommend Industry Standard by @tracksinvest.bsky.social & Gnostic Front. GF manipulated audio from undercover footage into music. It's mindblowing. BUY the vinyl here: www.tracksinvestigations.org/industrystan...
A close-up image of a vinyl record (red and white swirls) titled 'Industry Standard', a new album by Gemunu de Silva (Tracks Investigations) and Gnostic Front. The center of the vinyl features a macaque caught in a net, a result of wildlife trapping.
002
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
"Republicans have shown they can challenge the animal research field, but the real test will be whether it can do the same for the livestock sector."
100
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Sources: www.bizjournals.com/portland/new... s3.amazonaws.com/cms.ipressro...
bizjournals.com
OHSU outlines scenarios for closing primate research center - Portland Business Journal
The controversial Oregon National Primate Research Center opened in 1962 and merged with OHSU in 1998.
010
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Some U.S. primate research centers are preparing for closure in case they lose more NIH funding. Oregon Health & Science University estimates $241m to close their primate center & move animals to other sites vs. $220m-$291m to convert to a sanctuary. Abolishing this industry is near!
131
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Nicole Bedera @nbedera.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
ICE’s public violence should be a reminder that they commit brutal acts in private facilities too. Every report has been horrific and we only have the smallest glimpse into the horrors.
theguardian.com
2025 was ICE’s deadliest year in two decades. Here are the 32 people who died in custody
The deaths came as the Trump administration ramped up immigration enforcement, detaining a record number of people
0474237
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Is the year wrapped out already? 😮
110
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
I really hope they reassess and take down this campaign
030
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
For anyone interested in looking at the data on Veganuary, I recommend checking out this summary: faunalytics.org/tactics-in-p... Self-reported data suggests it's effective in reducing AP consumption post-intervention & supermarket data shows that plant-based product sales also remain higher after
faunalytics.org
Tactics In Practice: The Science Of Vegan Challenges - Faunalytics
Vegan challenges have become a popular way to encourage dietary change. This deep dive gets into the nitty gritty of what makes a challenge achievable.
062
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Started a list on @letterboxd.social focusing on fictional portrayals of the ALF. What am I missing? No documentaries please, just movies!
Letterboxd list called, "Animal Liberation Front" with a description, "fictional portrayals of the ALF or animal rights activists." There are four films on the list: Bold Native, Okja, 12 Monkeys, and 28 Days Later.
040
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Great coverage of our poll and its implications for legal animal advocacy. Can advocates really challenge “commonly accepted” factory farming practices when that phrase is ambiguous—does it mean what the public believes or what Big Ag claims?
030
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
My fab colleague conducted desk research on how international orgs (IFC, UN FAO, & WTO) influence the growth of animal agriculture in low- & middle-income countries (LMICs). LMICs are the world's top-producing animal slaughter countries, with consumption predicted to ⬆️ by 14% in these regions.
A vertical stacked bar chart titled "Percentage of Global Animal Slaughter Totals by LMIC Status," comparing animal slaughter in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) versus non-LMIC countries. The chart displays six categories of animals, showing that LMICs account for the vast majority of slaughter in every category. 
Goats: 97% in LMICs, 3% in non-LMICs.
Sheep: 80% in LMICs, 20% in non-LMICs.
Cows: 71% in LMICs, 29% in non-LMICs.
Pigs: 67% in LMICs, 33% in non-LMICs.
Chickens: 66% in LMICs, 34% in non-LMICs.
Fishes: 64% in LMICs, 36% in non-LMICs (measured in live weight tons).
051
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D. @ertrunnell.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Please share with journal editors in your networks!
011
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
"Science is a slaughterhouse." Not sure who wrote this editorial, but the opening line goes hard. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on animal testing: we can stop sacrificing millions of lives for our own health | Editorial
Editorial: New technologies can reduce our reliance on animal experiments. This isn’t just morally right, it could have scientific and economic benefits too
130
Reposted by Andrea Polanco, PhD
Vegan Horizon @veganhorizon.substack.com · 02/12/2025
🚨 Whistleblower: I was paid by meat companies to spread lies and stir drama in vegan communities. "It was pretty gross. I knew it. I did it anyway." Read the full piece to find out exactly what they were paid to do: veganhorizon.substack.com/p/i-got-paid...
veganhorizon.substack.com
“I Got Paid $17/hr to Discredit Veganism Online”: A Whistleblower Just Exposed Big Meat's Smear Machine
“It was pretty gross. I knew it. I did it anyway.”
03817
Andrea Polanco, PhD @andreapolanco.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Last week, the CDC (U.S.) said they'll ban monkey research. Today, Poland will ban fur farming. Incredible wins, esp considering how animals exploited for science and for fur tend to be sidelined in EA/effective animal advocacy circles. Thank you to all the activists who fight for these animals 💜
232