Animal Geographies Research Cluster

The research carried out by the members of the Animal Geography Research Cluster (AnimGeo) addresses the geographies of human-nonhuman animal’s practices and the role of animal welfare science and technology in challenging the role of farmed animals in current agricultural practices and policies.

It encompasses a large variety of themes and concerns, including:

developing methodologies for multispecies ethnographies and a ‘more-than-human’ approach to human/nonhuman relations
ethical issues in consumption practices of animal foods
the public understanding of the welfare of animals in food production systems
how new technologies affect human-animal relations on farms
biosecurity and the regulation of animal health.

The work of the Cluster sets out with the premise that societies are ‘more-than-human’ – nonhuman animals are not merely the backdrop to human relationships but are co-productive of spaces, events, technologies, discourses and artefacts.

Research

The AnimGeo’s research sits at the disciplinary interface of cultural geography, Science and Technology Studies (STS), animal studies and anthropology.

Its work is at the cutting edge of both theoretical and methodological innovation. As such, its members have advanced theoretical perspectives in relation to animals including actor-network theory, biopolitics and assemblage theory, and have developed innovative methodological approaches involving multispecies ethnographies and visual methodologies.

Members have also collaborated with natural scientists, animal welfare scientists and ethologists, developing cross- and inter-disciplinary methodologies and conversations.

Such collaborations have enhanced the contributions made by the AnimGeo to debates around policy and practice. Most notably, members have made significant contributions to the development of policy and practice in relation to the role of badgers in the spread of bovine tuberculosis, and to the formulation of new animal welfare protocols across the European Union.

Research within the Cluster has received funding from a diversity of bodies, including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), European Union, DEFRA and the Welsh Government.

Prosiectau

Funded research programmes and projects to the value of £2.3 million have been directed by members of CRESS.

Projects include:

Wales Rural Observatory (Welsh Assembly Government)
Climate Change Consortium for Wales (Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, 2009-2014)
Delivering renewable energy under devolution (Economic and Social Research Council, 2011-2012).