Freelance Work
I am a freelance writer and researcher specialising in science communication, technical writing and educational resource creation.
I love working across a variety of different topics and fields. I have a natural curiosity and am always open to an interesting new challenge. In the past, I have worked across diverse disciplines including feline behaviour, animal welfare, human health and wellbeing, neuroscience, policy, addiction medicine and child development.
No matter the field, you will find me meticulously researching, distilling and translating complex, multi-layered, nuanced information and turning it into clear, accessible content that ensures your project or policy is evidence-based, resonates with your intended audience and supports your goals.
Services:
Research:
Qualitative
Quantitative
Literature Review
Investigative
Technical
Fact-Checking
Quality Assessment
Writing:
Technical
Science Communication
Content
Educational
Scripts (Seminar, Podcast, Video, Social Media)
Academic
Guides
Handbooks
Courses
Materials for Government and Non-Profit Organisations
Government Submissions
Grant Proposals
Resource Creation:
Concept Design
Infographics
Videos
Voice-Over
Quizzes
Assessments
Project Sample:
Summarising scientific articles in plain English for a diverse audience
Content for the RSPCA Science Update, a quarterly publication providing accessible summaries of the most interesting and relevant recent animal welfare scientific papers and reports.
Project Sample:
Conceptualisation, content writing, editing and planner design
Content designed for the Dog and Cat Management Board of South Australia ‘Roam to Home’ campaign.
Booklet: concept and written content for booklet focused on transitioning roaming cats to an indoor life in a gradual, cat-welfare focused way, based on current best-practice knowledge.
Planner: concept and written content for an accompanying planner and checklist to support transitioning cats indoors.
Project Sample:
DO YOU SPEAK CAT?
Script, voice over, subtitles, video compilation and editing
Educational video used in a randomised control study investigating how well people recognise and respond to cat communication cues during play and whether a short educational intervention (this video) impacted participant scores. '
Article, video sourcing and quiz content creation
Interactive article detailing the findings of the study ‘Do you speak cat?’. Quiz designed in collaboration with The Conversation.
Quiz used in the video and expert insights given to camera
Social Media content to support The Conversation article and quiz.
Articles:
For more articles please see The Conversation
Do you speak cat? Take this quiz to find out
Also published in Portuguese
“While often miscast as mysterious or hard to understand, cats are actually excellent communicators. In fact, in free-ranging cat colonies, physical fights are kept to a minimum through clever use of body posturing, scent exchange and vocalisations.”
Can cats drink milk? Despite the stereotypes, it’s actually a bad idea
“Before the commercialisation of pet food, cats were mostly fed scraps from the family table. Not much was known about their nutritional needs. In his 1877 book on cats, Scottish doctor Gordon Stables insisted cats need two bowls – “one for water and the other for milk” – and suggested porridge and milk as an excellent feline breakfast.”
Can your cat recognise you by scent? New study shows it’s likely
Also published in French
“Cats often get a bad rap for being aloof or uncaring about the people in their lives, but a growing number of studies are finding the opposite to be true. We now know that cats learn the names we give them, cats and their guardians form their own communication style, and most cats will pick human social interaction over food, a choice even dogs struggle with.
TikTok says orange cats are ‘dumb’, and tortoiseshell cats have ‘an attitude’. But how true is that?
“You might get a sense from these studies that these are not terms cats would choose for themselves, and you’d be right. Surveys on cat personality are filled out by people. As such, results are affected by human perspectives, projections and biases.”
Do hypoallergenic cats even exist? 3 myths dispelled about cat allergies
"Cats are great companions, but for some people their company comes at a cost. Up to 1 in 5 people have an allergic response to cats, and this figure is increasing. There are many myths about allergies to cats, but what is fact and what is fiction? And can you still have a cat if you’re allergic?”
Research Publications:
For a full list, please see https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3516-2486
Henning, J.S.L., Nielsen, T., & Hazel, S. (2026). Exploring Viewer Perceptions of Videos Depicting Cat-Dissented ‘Play’ and Their Potential to Contribute to Harmful Interactions. Anthrozoös, doi: 10.1080/08927936.2026.2708478
Henning, J., McDonald, N., Zobel, G., Railton, R., Waran, N., & Hazel, S. J. (2026). Owner-reported experiences of transitioning cats from outdoor to indoor living.Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 107120. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107120
Henning, J. S. L., Nielsen, T., Hazel, S., & Atkinson, P. J. (2025). Do You Speak Cat? Assessing the Impact of a Training Video on Human Recognition of Cat Emotions and Behaviors During Play Interactions.Frontiers in Ethology, 4, 1675587, doi: 10.3389/fetho.2025.1675587
Henning, J. S. L., Costa, A. G., & Fernandez, E. J. (2023). Shifting attitudes on animal ‘ownership’: Ethical implications for welfare research and practice terminology.Research Ethics, 19(4), 409-418. doi: 10.1177/17470161231186060
Henning, J., Nielson, T., Nettifee, J., Muñana, K., & Hazel, S. (2021). Understanding the impacts of feline epilepsy on cats and their owners. Veterinary Record, 189(11). doi: 10.1002/vetr.836
Podcasts, Media & Presentations:
Nature's Most Wanted: Cat burglars and robber duckies
Podcast guest providing commentary on “Leonardo da Pinchy” and other cats who like to ‘steal’ things.
Territory-wide Saturdays
Radio guest breaking down common misconceptions about feline body language and the dangers of cat bites.
EXPERT REACTION: Should you give your cat a vegan diet?
Providing expert commentary in response to a study on vegan diets for cats.
Actually, do give up. | Julia Henning | TEDxUniAdelaide
TEDx talk detailing my initial move from music to science and my belief that dreams should be allowed to grow and change, just as we do.