Animal/Human Studies Group (AHSG)
Background
The study of animal-human relations within the social sciences is an increasingly important, vibrant and burgeoning field. The formation of the BSA Animal/Human Studies Group in June 2006 is therefore an important step towards addressing what Bryant (1979) has called the 'zoological connection', whereby sociologists need to recognise that people co-exist and interact not only with humans but with non-human animals too. For example, animals are increasingly utilised and involved in biotechnology and genomics; animal experimentation; the production and slaughter of food animals; companion animal-human type relationships and the therapeutic use of animals. Moreover, additional animal-related issues that have attracted attention by researchers are: the potential links between animal abuse and domestic violence; the nature of animal-animal interaction; potential links between women, nature and animals; bestiality; human-wildlife interactions; and human responses to companion animal death/euthanasia. Sociologists have much to offer this emerging area of study and are well placed to engage with the multifaceted, ambiguous and challenging nature of the animal-human interface in everyday life.
The BSA Animal/Human Studies Group will enable both current and future sociologists to put non-human animals on to the specialist and mainstream sociological research agenda, thus ensuring that animal-human studies becomes a viable and significant area of sociological study. References
Aims and Objectives
- To develop a sociological forum whereby animals and their relations with humans can be studied from a variety of sociological (and cognate) viewpoints, and to provide a specialist research forum for academics, researchers and students who share a professional interest in incorporating non-human animals into the discipline of sociology.
- To create a research database of animal-related research projects (including PhDs) carried out by sociologists initially in the UK. If you know of any such work please contact Rebecca Tipper who will be overseeing this particular project.
- To identify gaps in the emerging animal-human studies research agenda.
- To create opportunities for networking and research collaboration with colleagues from other social science disciplines (such as anthropology, cultural studies, gender studies, geographers, historians, law, philosophy, and psychology) who are interested in and actively researching animal-human related issues.
News
The AHSG is delighted to announce the launch of its new website: www.ahsg.co.uk. The new website is an excellent research resource/database and is accessible by all BSA members (please contact Rebecca Tipper for a guest password if you are not already a member of the AHSG). Going forward, all BSA AHSG members will be allocated their password when they join the group.
Forthcoming Events
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
‘Taking Stock’ of Animals in the Social Sciences: A Geographical and Sociological Exchange
A joint meeting of the BSA Animal/Human Studies Group and the Royal Geographical Society-Institute of British Geographers Rural Geography Research Group
Venue and co-hosted by: Institute for Science and Society (University of Nottingham)
Time: 1.30pm – 6.00pm
Travel and Catering details now available. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Rhoda Wilkie.
Past Events
Inaugural Meeting of the BSA Animal/Human Studies Group (AHSG)
The first meeting/event of the BSA AHSG was held on Tuesday, 26 September 2006
at 1.30 - 5.00pm at the University of Nottingham.
Please click here for the programme details.
Call for Papers and Posters
BSA Annual Conference 2008
If anyone wishes their paper to be placed in the 'Animals in Human Societies' conference stream could they please send their abstract to the BSA before the deadline below and it would also be useful if they could forward a copy of their abstract to Dr Rhoda Wilkie.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday, 28 September 2007: Deadline for abstracts to reach the BSA Office
Friday, 11 January 2008: Last date for presenters to register.
For further details of the Annual Conference, please visit the BSA Annual Conference 2008 webpage.
Joining the Group
Membership of the AHSG is free for all BSA members, students and unwaged, but non-BSA members with institutional support are asked to pay a one-off joining fee of £27.00 All members of the study group will automatically receive a quarterly e-mail newsletter and be registered on the study group's e-mailing list to be kept fully informed of the study group's activities. To join, complete the membership form by either (a) saving the form to your PC, complete it, save it and email or (b) complete online, print a copy and post. Please send completed forms to the group's convenor, Dr Rhoda Wilkie - all contact details are on the form & also below.
Contributions to the AHSG e-Newsletter
If you have any information and/or news items to be included in the AHSG e-newsletter please contact Dr Rebekah Fox.
