The Anthrozoology Podcast – Problematizing the Ethics Process: An Anthrozoological Perspective Part 1 #9

Please note that while our narrative is based on experiences that can and do happen to researchers in our field, Aadita and her project are entirely fictional  This is a two-part episode that builds upon a workshop we hosted at the Research Ethics Conference 2021 (REC2021). 

https://hopin.com/events/research-ethics-conference-2021   

References and sources mentioned are listed here: https://theanthrozoologypodcast.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/ep910-refs-1.pdf Please subscribe to get notified about our next podcast!  

Follow us on Twitter: @TheAnthrozoopod   Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthrozoopod/   

To access audio-only versions please our official Website: https://anthrozoopod.wixsite.com/anthrozoopod   

Participants:  

PodCrew:  

Kris Hill PhD Student, University of Exeter kh458@exeter.ac.uk https://katzenlife.wordpress.com/   

Michelle Szydlowski PhD Candidate, University of Exeter  ms835@exeter.ac.uk  www.internationalelephants.org  

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

Podlet Guest:  Jes Hooper PhD Student, University of Exeter jh1220@exeter.ac.uk  www.thecivetproject.com  

Workshop Abstract  

Anthrozoology is an emergent field concerned with the study of human-animal interactions and relationships. As an emergent interdisciplinary field, Anthrozoology is in its infancy regarding methodological practice. For Anthrozoologists, research involves both human and animal as active participants and actors within ethnographic investigation. Concerned with the ethical implications of research beyond the human species, Anthrozoologists are often faced with navigating how to protect both human and non-human informants, and when to speak for animals. Anthrozoology, therefore, presents a unique lens through which to view current research ethics processes.   Held by postgraduate researchers from Exeter’s Anthrozoology as Symbiotic Ethics (EASE) working group, the proposed workshop aims to problematize the Ethics Committee process in order to suggest solutions to better protect the interests of animal participants.  Through the mode of a discussion forum, the attendees will be asked to share their own experiences of the Ethics Committee process whilst considering how the traditional ethics committee paradigm, as derived from the Biological Sciences, no longer adequately considers the nuances presented within animal-related research. The workshop will conclude with a collaboration between participants and speakers in order to problem solve and propose alternative ways in which the Ethics Committee process can better address the concerns of animals involved in research.  

References and further reading  

Flight Safety Culture: https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Safety_Culture Hamilton, L., & Taylor, N. (2017). 

Ethnography after humanism: Power, politics and method in multi-species research. Springer.  Oliver, C. (2021), 

Beyond-human ethics: The animal question in institutional ethical reviews. Area. Accepted Author Manuscript.  https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/area.12738   

Responsible Images of Primates: https://human-primate-interactions.org/resources/ 

The Lesser Know Victims of Wildlife Trafficking Podcast – Part 1: https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2021/jun/15/the-lesser-known-victims-of-wildlife-trafficking-part-one-podcast 

The Lesser Know Victims of Wildlife Trafficking Podcast – Part 2: https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2021/jun/17/inside-the-world-of-wildlife-trafficking-part-two-podcast

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

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes | Radio Public | Google | Spotify | RSS | Facebook