Ep 38, 2/2 -“Fattening” and One Health with Alisa Rubenstein.

Welcome to Episode 38 of the Anthrozoology Podcast. In this episode, we continue exploring Alisa Rubinstien’s research on the intersection of humans, companion-animals and fat. Alisa is the AIP2023/AASA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEmj7S9A0fY&t=2020s) Pre-PhD Presentation Award winner for her work titled “Fattening” One Health: An Interspecies Approach to Dismantling the “Obesity Epidemic.”

With over ten years of experience in various animal care settings, she recently earned her Master’s in Anthrozoology from Canisius University. Currently, Alisa serves as the Lifesaving Manager at a shelter in Philadelphia, focusing on adoption, foster, and volunteer programs. Her academic interests intersect ecofeminism and critical animal studies, particularly exploring how perceptions of animals relate to marginalised humans. Her thesis investigated the roles cats play in the lives of queer women and non-binary individuals.

In the second part of their conversation, hosts Kris, Sarah, and Michelle continue their dialogue with Alisa, who discusses potential future research directions, emphasising the need for a better understanding of how societal perceptions can influence the health outcomes of both humans and animals. The discussion also highlights her fascinating thesis on the relationships between queer women and their cats, showcasing how these unique bonds challenge societal narratives. As the episode concludes, Alisa highlights the critical need for compassion and dignity in healthcare, advocating for a One Welfare approach that benefits all beings. This engaging conversation encourages listeners to rethink conventional beliefs about health, weight, and the integral connections we share with animals.

In a future episode we talk to another AIP2023 awardee, Dr. Madelena Mañetto Quick, who recently graduated from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. You can learn more about the Anthrozoology as International Practice (AIP) student conference here https://anthrozoologyconference.com/

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Podlet Guest

Alisa Rubinstein
Email: alisar3497@gmail.com
Websites: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisar01/

PodCrew

Dr. Kris Hill
https://academiccatlady.com/

Dr. Michelle Szydlowski
ms835@exeter.ac.uk
www.internationalelephants.org
@intl_elephants

Sarah Oxley Heaney PhD Candidate,
University of Exeter
sh750@exeter.ac.uk ​
www.kissingsharks.com/

References

Pearl RL, Wadden TA, Bach C, Leonard SM, Michel KE. (2020). Who’s a good boy? Effects of dog and owner body weight on veterinarian perceptions and treatment recommendations. International Journal of Obesity, 44(12): 2455-2464. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7686094/

Cats (and their Dykes): An Anthology. Edited by Irene Reti and Shoney Sien. C. (1991). McNaughton and Gunn: https://escholarship.org/content/qt4wn4458v/supp/CATS.pdf

Maintenance Phase (Podcast). Wellness and weight loss, debunked and decoded:
https://www.maintenancephase.com/

Anthrozoology as International Practice (AIP) YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aipconference/playlists

Alisa’s AIP2021 presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEmj7S9A0fY&list=PL-78-9WPsOo8f8kCP8j96FENDLHvkVv1K&index=4

Read more about AIP and register here (before 17 November 2024): https://anthrozoologyconference.com/companion animals

Hosted by three postgraduate researchers, The Anthrozoology Podcast is a place for early career researchers to discuss current topics in the field.

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