The academic year is ending for most university students, but here at the Animals and Society Institute, there is no summer holiday. Much as we enjoy the season, our work to promote the study of human-animal relationships is a year-round endeavor. By editing two academic journals, sponsoring a summer fellowship and working with scholars at universities worldwide, we are striving to make this new field of Human-Animal Studies an integral part of the academic world.
Below are some recent updates on our HAS program and related activities. We hope you will give them an A (for Animals) and support our efforts to bring higher ethics to higher education.
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JAAWS Journal Reaches Landmark
The ASI recently learned that the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science now has 300 institutional subscriptions. This means that the journal is well ensconced in university libraries and is keeping students and faculty informed about the need and means for improving the treatment of animals.
The next issue of JAAWS will focus on equitation science and the welfare needs of horses used for riding. This special issue coincides with renewed scrutiny of horse breeding and racing (following the death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby) as well as pleasure riding (now that unwanted horses may no longer be slaughtered for meat in the U.S.). Among the topics addressed in the journal will be the use of positive reinforcement training, evaluations of certain equipment used on horses, and studies of horses’ emotions and temperaments. Eight of the papers were previously presented at the third annual International Equitation Science Symposium hosted by Michigan State University in 2007.
Click here to learn more about JAAWS
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MSU Approves New HAS Specialty
Michigan State University’s graduate council has approved a new graduate specialization called "Animal Studies: Social Science and Humanities Perspectives." This certification for graduate students in both disciplines is due in large part to the presence of three scholars – Linda Kalof, David Favre and Thomas Dietz – in different fields at MSU, who are also helping make possible the ASI’s 2008 Human-Animal Studies Fellowship, which will also take place at MSU this summer.
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Keynote Speaker Featured in USA Today
Dr. Irene Pepperberg, this year’s keynote speaker at “Speaking Their Truth,” was featured in the May 13 issue of USA Today. The article focused on her work with Alex, the African gray parrot with whom she worked on animal cognition and communication studies. Alex passed away last fall, but Dr. Pepperberg continues to work with two other parrots, Griffin and Wart. The article emphasizes how Alex’s remarkable ability to articulate his thoughts and calculations gave a whole new meaning to the stereotypical "bird brain" and made people think about how animals are perceived.
On October 3-5 in North Carolina, Dr. Pepperberg will tell about her 30 years with Alex at "Speaking Their Truth," which is jointly produced by the Culture and Animals Foundation and the ASI. Details and discounted online registration are available at www.animalsandsociety.org/stt
Click here to read the USA Today article
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In Memoriam: Wanda Nash
We at the ASI were deeply saddened by the passing of longtime friend and supporter Wanda Nash on May 8. She began helping animals in the 1970s as a shelter volunteer. After going to law school for the sole purpose of supporting animal causes, she was the driving force behind the creation of Michigan Attorneys for Animals and the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan in the 1990s; a special award for law students was named for her by the latter. She was the first chairperson of the ASI and most recently served as our honorary board chair. Wanda was a dear friend, colleague, and a dedicated and accomplished activist whose legacy will carry on. She is survived by her husband, Jim, three children, seven grandchildren, her dog, Rolf, and her cat, SilverBelle.
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Thank You for Your Support
Animal Advocates, the ASI believes activism, like education, is a lifelong pursuit that reaps great rewards. Our programs related to human-animal studies continue to grow, but only with your support. Please help us make academic inroads by learning more about our efforts at www.animalsandsociety.org and by making whatever donation you can to help make these programs possible. The investment you make in students today will reap great rewards tomorrow as these young citizens become our future leaders.
For the animals,
Ken Shapiro
Executive Director
Animals and Society Institute
2512 Carpenter Road
Suite #201 A2
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108-1188