Here's to a vegan new year!

Happy Solstice folks,

This autumn has been an absolute whirlwind of big and major vegan events. I was honored to speak at the British Academy in London in early November on the meaning of animal rights and the possibility of a vegan future. Evanna Lynch who played Luna Lovegood and is an animal rights activist was chair for the event--very cool! I also spoke on this topic as a guest on The Vegan Society's podcast. 

But most importantly--and I can't believe I'm typing this--students in my Environmental Politics module (pictured) began a campaign with Animal Rebellion at the start of the semester to transition the University of Kent to 100% plant-based student catering. Using the democratic processes available through the student union, these student activists hit the pavement and mobilized across campus. It was a close call since we only had a few days before the semester ended, but my students were able to reach the requisite number of votes in favor to put the policy into place! Starting next semester, dining services under the jurisdiction of the student union should start transitioning to vegan food. Unbelievable!

Otherwise, I have a few new interviews and publications for your perusal. I presented on the commonalities between humanism and animal rights with the Humanist Association of Ireland, for instance, and my story on early vegan celebrity Jack McClelland has been featured by The Vegan Society. 

Thank you for supporting my work this year and here's to a better new year for the animals,

 

Conferences and Invited Talks

Vegan vs Vegan

British Academy
November 15, 2022

In November, I joined vegan philosopher Josh Milburn for a debate on the role of "unfeeling invertebrates" and lab-grown "meat" for achieving a vegan future. I strongly object to the patriarchal and capitalistic assumption that increasing technology and continued control over nonhuman bodies will be compatible with a vegan society.

Read my summary here >>

 

Why We Need a Plant-based University

University of Kent
December 6th, 2022

Students in my Environmental Politics module have been teaming up with activists across the country to transition the University of Kent to 100% plant-based student catering. To launch the campaign, we gathered on campus for a panel on the importance of plant-based foodways, animal rights, and university change. I was delighted to act as the panel host.

Watch here >>

 

Annual Meeting of the International Association of Vegan Sociologists

Vegan Sociologies of Space and Time
October 8th and 9th, 2022

The 2022 IAVS annual meeting showcased research that unpacks the temporal and spatial elements of social life that perpetuate or challenge nonhuman animals’ exploitation. Panels join us from Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Presentations are now available to stream on Youtube.

Watch here >>

 

Why Animal Rights are a Humanist Issue

Humanist Association of Ireland
November 30, 2022

In November, I was honored to be invited to speak on the topic of Irish animal rights and what this project means for the humanist tradition. Ireland is a unique case given the considerable power that the church and animal agriculture have enjoyed there.

Watch here >>

 

Selling Veganism in the Age of COVID: Vegan Representation in British Newspapers in 2020

Vegan Sociologies of Space and Time
October 8th, 2022

My talk on Vegaphobia and COVID-19 in collaboration with Matthew Cole, Karen Morgan, and Norm Riley can be found on Youtube. In it, I discuss the increasing presence of veganism in British media, and how much of that representation is now positive but panders considerably to the marketplace. COVID-19 did not have much impact on the media discourse with regard to veganism.

Watch here >>
View slides here >>

 

The Vegan Society's The Vegan Pod

Will A Fully Vegan World Ever Be Possible?
September 21, 2022

In honour of International Day of Peace, this episode of The Vegan Society's podcast is all about the practicalities and possibilities of achieving a vegan utopia.  

Guest host Rachel New is joined by myself and the author of How to Argue with Vegans, Benny Malone, to discuss how a global shift to veganism could benefit humankind, how realistic it is and what a vegan world might actually look like.  

Listen here >>

 

Publications

Veganism Preconceived

My episode on veganism has been featured in the new book for Preconceived Podcast available now on Amazon. Proceeds go to a children's charity. You can read a summary of my podcast here or purchase the book here.

Read more >>

 

Literary Writings

My chapter on the early writings of The Vegan Society, The Vegetarian Society, and other foundational vegan organizations has been published in the Edinburgh University Press's Companion to Vegan Literary Studies. In this chapter, I note the importance of early organizational publications in mobilizing and defining a movement.

Read more >>

 

Jack McClelland: Ireland's Vegan Game Changer

My essay on vegan trailblazer Jack McClelland, one of the first vegan celebrities, has been published by The Vegan Society. Jack regularly amazed Irish audiences with his record-breaking swims across various major bodies of water in Ireland and the British Isles more broadly. Jack’s swims drew huge crowds and celebrations. In an era when the healthfulness of veganism was not yet understood, he served as living evidence of the power of plants. 

Read more >>

 

From My Blog

Plant-based Universities - Kent

As an institution where scientific research is conducted to influence policy, global relations, and public well-being, the University of Kent has a responsibility to lead by example. Sustainable campaigning taking place across campus demonstrates that many Kent students agree.

Read more >>
 

Recent Books

Animals in Irish Society

Piecemeal Protest

Animal Rights in the Age of Nonprofits