Critical Animal Studies Presentations

These are available for a wide range of audiences from age 11 upwards. Presentations seek to inform the listeners about the subject generally or specific aspects of it but crucially to engage in disussion.  Below are some possible topics for presentations but these can be changed as needed depending upon the event, the pariticipants and the time avaialbe. it is also possible to combine a number of presentation so as to provide a mini course on the subject

These can be changed or amalgamated as needs require and can also include more focused discussions on animals and the environment, vegetarianism and veganism

Examples of possible presentations 

Introducing Critical Animal Studies

This is an overview of the field and discusses different philosophical perspectives, for example, Singer, Regan, Francione and Rawles, we  look at welfare vs liberation, vegetarianism and veganism, animals and religion, animals and the environment, animals and language, animals and the intersectorial perspective.

Animals women and language

This takes a particular look at how language and the treatment of both nonhuman animals and women are intertwined. It also examines the centrality of meat and its associated power. It offers the opportunity to look at how we socially construct our reality through language and bring about unequal power relations in society - often with devastating consequences 

Animals, ideology and moral disengagement

We often apply, consciously or unconsciously certain ideologies related to nonhuman animals. These ideologies affect our dealings with nonhuman animals and also with other humans. These ideologies can facilitate violence on a massive scale. This presentation examines what these ideologies are and how they bring about their effects through moral disengagment amongst other things. It draws togther examples of mass violence against nonhuman animals by humans and mass violence by humans on other humans.

Animals and animal experimentation

Using animals in experiments is a very difficult area for many people because they are often presented with the appeal to progress and lives saved against the real harm caused to animals. This presentation explores the ethical and scientific debates as well as the socialisation process and the language surrounding the practice. It draws on a wide range of experience and perspectives

Animals workers and colonialism

This draws on the work of Jason Hribal and David Nibert and it examines two strands from a social- historical perspective. The examines nonhuman animals as members of the working class and the second is the part played by the exploitation of nonhuman animal in the spread of colonialism.