Intersections between Feminism, Animal Studies Explored at Conference

Olivia DrakeMarch 1, 20114min
Karen Emmerman, a graduate student in philosophy at the University of Washington, speaks on “What’s Love Got to Do With It? Partiality, Human Interests, and Inter-animal Conflicts” at the Sex, Gender, Species conference Feb. 25-26. Wesleyan Animal Studies and The Center for the Study of Public Life sponsored the event, which explored the intersections between feminism and animal studies and the practical and theoretical problems central to both fields.



Pictured at left, Wesleyan faculty Lori Gruen and Kari Weil co-organized the conference. Gruen is associate professor of philosophy, associate professor, feminist, gender and sexuality studies. Weil is visiting professor of letters.



Joyce Powzyk, a visiting professor of biology at Wesleyan, makes remarks at the conference. Powzyk teaches courses on animal behavior.



Ken Shapiro, Ph.D., comments during the conference. Shapiro is the executive director of the Animals and Society Institute, Wesleyan Animal Studies' partner in hosting the Human-Animal Studies summer fellowships. Speakers from a range of disciplines in the sciences, social sciences, humanities and the arts explored several topics on human-animal relations and their representations. (Photos by Emily Brackman '11)