Jane Louise Hurst OBE FRSB is the William Prescott Professor of Animal Science at the University of Liverpool.

[6] During her PhD she watched wild mice in agricultural buildings, studying their social organisation and ability to live at such high population densities.

[3] She was appointed the William Prescott Professor of Animal Science at the University of Liverpool in 1998[3] and Head of Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group.

[10] Hurst identified a non-volatile pheromone that was released in male urine that female mice find highly attractive.

[4][11] She went on to find that this pheromone was a major urinary protein (MUP20), which she named darcin after Mr Darcy in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice.

[12] and has been involved with work that has identified a genetically determined circuit extending from the accessory olfactory bulb to the posterior medial amygdala mediating all behavioural responses to darcin.

[17][18] Hurst developed the use of mouse-friendly handling tunnels, reducing their anxiety and allowing them to explore more during animal testing.

[22] She has supported the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research since its inception, including a founding member of the NC3Rs Board and grant funding panel (2004-2010).