Cfp: "Thinking About Animals," 10th Annual Conference, Institute of Critical Animal Studies, Department of Sociology, Brock University, March 31-April 1, 2011.

This two-day conference will explore a variety of issues concerning the current and historical situation of nonhuman animals and interactions with humans.

We are especially pleased to be hosting this conference in association with the Institute of Critical Animal Studies as the 10th annual ICAS conference. As with past conferences, we welcome participation from both activists and academics. The conference will be completely vegan.

We will consider proposals on any relevant topics but some suggestions include:

• Animal exploitation industries (economic, environmental, ethical aspects)
• Analyzing Industry Propaganda
• Undercover investigations
• Anarchy and animals
• Animals in War
• Current campaigns and issues in animal rights activism
• Sanctuaries
• Humane education
• Horse Slaughter in Canada: Cashing in on US Legislation
• Captivity: Animals in zoos and ?marine parks?
• Vivisection and animals in scientific research
• Biotechnology and animals
• Historical understandings of animals
• Animal rights history
• Animal rights and social justice
• Wildlife conservation and animal protection
• Companion animals
• Veganism and Vegetarianism
• Meat and gender identities
• Animals, labour and the working class
• Compassion, empathy, solidarity
• Animals and human identities
• Wildlife trade
• Social construction of animals
• What animals think
• Images of animals and animal activists
• Developing animal rights activism and creating cultures of compassion

Please send a short proposal (2-3 paragraphs or enough details to describe your idea) to: ac2011@brocku.ca.  Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2011.