Please note that the deadline has been extended to May 3rd.

First Conference for the Network of Veterinary Humanities (October 8-9, 2020)

In recent years, there has been an interest in veterinary science/medicine from the humanities and the social sciences. From this perspective, Veterinary medicine is not just applied science, but a complex and multi-contextual profession. The focus of this research looks upon the societal and cultural impacts of veterinary knowledge, technologies and practices. Furthermore, the ways in which Veterinary Medicine is shaped by cultural values, societal structures and social dynamics are investigated.
Specific to the approaches of veterinary humanities is that animals and human-animal relationships play a crucial role. Research into medical practice and knowledge production has to take animals into account, as agents and as part of a more-than-human society. At this first conference, we aim to further explore the implications of this perspective: How does veterinary knowledge translate into animal bodies and minds and render certain configurations of knowledge-based practice in society rational? And how is professional work in the field of animal healthcare situated in economic, political, spatial and socio-cultural contexts?
The conference will be held at the Messerli Research Institute, which focuses on human-animal relations. The facility is located at the Campus of the Veterinary University in Vienna.
We invite scholars to submit abstracts for presentations. Contributions can be based on empirical research as well as contain theoretical/conceptual work. Please find more information in the Call for Abstracts. ¹