In this special edition recorded live at the 2025 Wilberforce Lecture we tackle technology unleashed. 

From de-extinction, gene editing, robot pets, AI conversations with animals to alternative proteins, how do we harness technology to create a better world for animals?

Host Kate Quilton is joined by special guests Melanie Challenger, RSPCA Vice President, writer, researcher and broadcaster, Jane Lawton, Managing Director of the Earth Species Project and Thomas Schultz-Jagow, RSPCA Director of Advocacy and Prevention.

Special Edition - Wilberforce Lecture 2025

Steve Backshall MBE has loved nature from almost the very first moment he could move around.

Since then, nature has given him a career - but also remains one of his favourite ways to spend his spare time, to support his wellbeing and to enjoy life with his family.

But why is nature so important to him, and his children? And how can it compete with the television screens and smart phones always vying for our attention?

Host Kate Quilton chats to the TV presenter, naturalist and broadcaster about his enthusiasm for nature, sharing the importance of the outdoors with others, and what the future may hold for the natural world and wildlife - both in England and Wales, and further afield.

Steve also considers whether there is a tipping point that could encourage society to take nature more seriously - and swing people's perspectives to live their lives in a way that is kinder to all animals. He also talks about why we need to ensure nature feels accessible to people from all walks of life.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project [https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures], which explores five possible scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People can have their say on the future of animal welfare by joining The Big Conversation [http://www.rspca.org.uk/bigconversation], and by playing the RSPCA’s Animal Futures game [https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/].

Host: Kate Quilton

Guests: Steve Backshall, MBE

Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

Why do we all need nature?

Society has always been fascinated by the prospect of one day being able to talk to animals.

But if we did all turn into Dr. Dolittle overnight, what would animals want to tell us? And would we like what they have to say?

And amid the growth of artificial intelligence, will we soon be able to communicate better with our animals than ever before? Or is the proliferation of bad advice online, and the way some animals remain undervalued by society, mean we're a bit tone deaf to animals' wants and needs?

Broadcaster and journalist Kate Quilton is in conversation with Professor Daniel Mills, from the University of Lincoln, who has spearheaded research about the variety of facial expressions pulled by cats, and utilises computer vision technology to interpret what they mean. He discusses how we process information about what our pets are thinking and feeling; and considers whether animals would ever even want to have conversations with humans!

Kate also catches up with the RSPCA’s own Dr Samantha Gaines, who is the charity’s Head of Companion Animals. She talks about whether we are any good at reading our pets signals, and how the internet can be both a force for good and bad in sharing animal training information. In a must-listen moment, she also grapples with the challenging topic of how we can ever truly know if the pets we share our homes with are happy.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project [https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures], which explores five possible scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People can have their say on the future of animal welfare by joining The Big Conversation [http://www.rspca.org.uk/bigconversation], and playing the RSPCA’s Animal Futures game [https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/].

Host: Kate Quilton

Guests: Professor Daniel Mills and Dr Samantha Gaines

Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

Are we ready to talk to animals?

The wonders of nature, including the wild animals that share our spaces, are undeniable.

And the great outdoors can be so good for us - mentally, and physically; helping people to appreciate the importance of animal welfare, and the natural world around us, in so many ways.

But why is nature so important for us? And is everyone sharing the benefits right now? And if not, does society need to do something about it?

Broadcaster and journalist Kate Quilton chats to ornithologist, author, blogger, and activist, Dr Mya-Rose Craig - also known as 'Bird Girl'. She discusses why birdwatching means so much to her, how nature can transform the lives for young people, and her work to ensure everyone, regardless of their background, enjoys and experiences nature, and everything good that comes with it.

She is also joined by chair of the National Trust René Olivieri. The National Trust has found three quarters of children want to spend more time in nature, and is urging governments to ensure youngsters live no more than a short walk from outside green spaces. René talks about the power of nature, and why people don't need to go to the countryside to enjoy it.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project [https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures], which explores five possible scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People can have their say on the future of animal welfare by joining The Big Conversation [http://www.rspca.org.uk/bigconversation], and playing the RSPCA’s Animal Futures game [https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/].

Host: Kate Quilton

Guests: Dr Mya-Rose Craig and René Olivieri, CBE

Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

How do we keep nature open to all?

The terms 'animal rights' and 'animal welfare' are often used interchangeably - but they can actually mean very different things. But what are animal rights, and how do they differ from good animal welfare? And what might a society that embraces animal rights look like, and is it realistic?

Broadcaster and journalist Kate Quilton chats to Dr Sean Butler, who lectures Animal Rights Law at Cambridge University; and is Director of the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law. He explains what animal rights are, how they differ from animal welfare, and why he thinks huge changes in how society and laws think about animals could be coming in the next 50 years.

She’s also joined by author and bioethicist Melanie Challenger, an RSPCA vice-president. Her work explores if, and how, animals can be represented in the process of making crucial decisions that affect their lives. Melanie’s 'Animals in the Room' project is a global collaboration, bringing together philosophers, scientists and others to consider and test models for the representation of non-humans in decision-making.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project [https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures], which explores five possible scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People listening between 5 and 28 February or 17 March to 6 April 2025 can join The Big Conversation [http://www.rspca.org.uk/bigconversation]. After that, you can find out more by playing the interactive Animal Futures game [https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/].

Dr Butler's views are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law.

Host: Kate Quilton

Guests: Dr Sean Butler and Melanie Challenger

Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

Do animals deserve a voice in society?

With the world's population growing, and so many farm animals needed to keep everyone fed, is our food system sustainable? And what are the consequences for animal welfare? Broadcaster and journalist Kate Quilton chats to Riley Jackson, Head of Partnerships and Marketing at Ivy Farm Technologies, about one possible alternative - lab-grown, cultivated meat; and whether it could revolutionise where our food comes from, and society's reliance on animals. Kate also chats to Professor David Halpern CBE, President Emeritus at the Behavioural Insights Team, or the 'Nudge Unit'. He talks about the role governments have played in 'nudging' us to think differently about food - including making the humble potato a Royal delicacy! David discusses the role such strategies could play in encouraging the public to consider a future where lab-grown meat and alternative proteins regularly feature on our supermarket trolleys.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the  RSPCA Animal Futures Project [https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures], which explores five possible scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People listening between 5 and 28 February or 17 March to 6 April 2025 can join The Big Conversation [http://www.rspca.org.uk/bigconversation]. After that, you can find out more by playing the interactive Animal Futures game [https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/].

Host: Kate Quilton

Guests: Riley Jackson and Professor David Halpern CBE

Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

Is lab-grown meat a game-changer for animals and would you try it?

Broadcaster and journalist Kate Quilton speaks to entrepreneur and CEO of Ageless Innovation Ted Fischer and animal behaviour specialist Dr Leanne Proops, Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Portsmouth, about the role of robot pets and what it could mean for animals in future. Ted shares how robot pets can transform the lives of older people experiencing isolation and loneliness, and whether others could benefit from them too. Dr Proops discusses her research into how children respond to robot pets and their potential use in therapy, whether they could ever replace real animals and whether they might even one day become sentient like the real thing.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project [https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures] which explores five future scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People listening between 5 and 21 February or 17 March to 6 April 2025 can join The Big Conversation [http://www.rspca.org.uk/bigconversation]. After that, you can find out more by playing the interactive Animal Futures game [https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/].

Host: Kate Quilton
Guests: Ted Fischer and Dr Leanne Proops
Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

Could robot pets ever replace the real thing?

Journalist and broadcaster Kate Quilton introduces Animal Futures - a new podcast from the RSPCA. The show explores what the future might look like for animals and how the choices we make now could impact the world they - and us - enjoy in decades to come.

Kate talks to expert guests on topics including robot pets and AI and how they could impact our relationship with animals, what alternative meat and proteins could mean for animal welfare, how we recognise the voice of animals in law and society and what nature means to us.

This podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project which explores five potential future scenarios for animals. Listeners can find out more by playing our interactive Animal Futures game. People listening between 5 and 21 February and 17 March and 6 April can also have their say on what they heard as part of RSPCA Animal Futures: The Big Conversation - the biggest ever national conversation about the future of animal welfare.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

Introduction to Animal Futures

Journalist and broadcaster Kate Quilton explores what the world might look like for animals in 2050. She talks to guests about some of the big challenges facing animals, such as the way we use technology, the food we eat, how we see and treat animals and our impact on nature. She explores how the choices we make today could influence the world animals - and us - enjoy in the future.