Welcome to the blog for the ESRC funded UIBEN programme project entitled 'Understanding Individual Behaviour through Human/Animal Relations'.
The first workshop was held in Reading on the 15th September 2009 entitled:
'Towards a relational taxonomy'
Which non-human animals do we humans relate to and how? Which are considered as worthy of our relational engagement through ‘empathy’, ‘nurturance’ and ‘care’? Which animals fall outside that embrace, or are deliberately excluded from it (for example, as pests and vermin) and might such divisions be relevant or valuable in exploring human ontologies, attitudes and behaviour? This first workshop seeks to identify the parameters of human/animal relations by exploring four aspects of differentiation: cultural and representational aspects, evolutionary psychological aspects, developmental psychological aspects and ideas of hospitality/more inclusive cosmo-politics.
The second workshop was held in Bristol on the 13th October, entitled:
'Care and therapeutic relations'
In what ways do human/animal relations impact on the mental and physical health of individuals? How can we begin to articulate the therapeutic relations between an animal and human in such diverse settings as pet therapy in hospitals and care homes, riding for the disabled, guide dogs for the visually impaired as well the more everyday benefits of living with companions animals? How do these relations vary between cultures? This session will draw on medical, psychological and sociological perspectives to try and open up this very important and fascinating aspect of human-animal relations and draw together future directions for research.
