Expert List

Areas of Expertise: human cognition, animal cognition, consciousness, sentience, language evolution, veganism, categorical perception, human electrophysiology, open access Languages: English, French, Hungarian, Spanish Associated Organization: Université du Québec à Montréal...

Naama Harel, PhD

Lecturer in Hebrew and Comparative Literature, Columbia University

Areas of Expertise: animal representation in literature; compassion for animals in Judaism; veganism in Israel Languages: English, Hebrew, German Associated Organization: Columbia University Read Naama’s bio here.

Melanie Joy, PhD, EdM

Psychologist, Author, NGO President, Beyond Carnism

Areas of Expertise: psychology of eating meat, human-animal relationship, veganism, vegetarianism, carnism, animal rights, social change Languages: English Associated Organization: Beyond Carnism Read Melanie’s bio here.

Matthew Cole, PhD

Associate Lecturer/Honorary Associate in Sociology, The Open University

Areas of Expertise: Vegans and veganism, children and animals, animals in the media, animal product advertising Languages: English Associated Organization: The Open University Read Matthew’s bio here.

Elizabeth Cherry

Associate Professor of Sociology, Manhattanville College

Areas of Expertise: veganism and vegetarianism, the animal rights movement (in France and in the U.S.), the human-animal divide, veganism and subcultures, birds and birdwatching, wildlife conservation, citizen science Languages:...

Christina Risley-Curtiss, MSSW, PhD

Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University

Areas of Expertise: animal abuse, the correlation between animal abuse,child abuse and domestic violence, interventions with children who animals, animal-assisted interventions, animal-human interactions, why we should be concerned about animal...

Carter Dillard, JD, LLM

Director of Litigation, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Areas of Expertise: Law, Litigation, population, and bioethics. Languages: English, Spanish Associated Organization: Animal Legal Defense Fund Read Carter’s bio here.

Carrie P. Freeman, PhD

Professor, Department of Communication, Georgia State University

Dr. Freeman is a teacher in media studies and a critical/cultural studies media researcher who has published in over 20 scholarly books and journals on media ethics, strategic communication for...

Carol Adams

Writer; Independent Scholar

Areas of Expertise: veganism, vegetarianism, sexism in meat advertisements, the connection between meat and masculinity, the sexual politics of meat, Christianity and animals Languages: English Associated Organization: Independent Scholar Read Carol’s bio here.

Brian M. Lowe, PhD

Professor of Sociology, SUNY College at Oneonta

Areas of Expertise: animal rights movement, use of visual images in animal rights movement, mediated moral claims, development of mediated spectacles and animal advocacy Languages: English Associated Organization: SUNY College...

Animal ethics & philosophy

Stevan Harnad, PhD

Professor of Cognitive Science, Université du Québec à Montréal

Ron Broglio, PhD

Professor in English, Arizona State University

Areas of Expertise: philosophy, sustainability, art Languages: English Associated Organization: Arizona State University Read Ron’s bio here.

Randy Malamud, PhD

Regents’ Professor of English, Georgia State University

Areas of Expertise: zoos, representations of animals, animals in film, animals in literature Languages: English, French Associated Organization: Georgia State University Read Randy’s bio here.

Natalie Prosin, M.P.P, J.D.

Project Manager of the Animals, Law, and Religion Project

Areas of Expertise: Animal rights, legal personhood, animal law, great apes, elephants Languages: English Associated Organization: Harvard Law School Read Natalie’s bio here.

Naama Harel, PhD

Lecturer in Hebrew and Comparative Literature, Columbia University

Melanie Joy, PhD, EdM

Psychologist, Author, NGO President, Beyond Carnism

Lisa Kemmerer, PhD, MTS

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religions, founder of Tapestry (vegan education and advocacy)

Areas of Expertise: ethics and diet, diet and environment, ethics and hunting, ecofeminism, religions and animal ethics, feminism and animal liberation Languages: English Associated Organization: Tapestry Read Lisa’s bio here.

Lawrence A Hansen M.D.

Professor of Neurosciences and Pathology, University of California San Diego

Areas of Expertise: Alzheimer disease, parkinson disease, dementia, aging, brain tumors, ethics of animal research Languages: English Associated Organization: University of California San Diego Read Lawrence’s bio here.

Helena Pedersen, PhD

Associate Professor of Education, Stockholm University

Areas of Expertise: Education and animals, veganism, zoos, speciesism, children and animals Languages: English, Swedish Associated Organization: Stockholm University Read Helena’s bio here.

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

Culum Brown, PhD

Associate Professor, Macquarie University

Areas of Expertise: Fish behaviour, cognition, welfare Associated Organization: Macquarie University Read Culum’s bio here.

Con Slobodchikoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Biology, Northern Arizona University

Areas of Expertise: animal language, animal behavior, animal sentience, animal cognition, prairie dogs, ecology, evolution, conservation Languages: English Associated Organization: Northern Arizona University Read Con’s bio here.

Carter Dillard, JD, LLM

Director of Litigation, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Areas of Expertise: Law, Litigation, population, and bioethics. Languages: English, Spanish Associated Organization: Animal Legal Defense Fund Read Carter’s bio here.

Barbara J. King, PhD

Emerita Professor of Anthropology, William & Mary

Areas of Expertise: animal grief, animal love, animal emotions, primate behavior, animal thinking, evolution of animal thinking and feeling, animals and ethics Languages: English Associated Organization: College of William and...

Animal capabilities (cognition, emotion, sentience, culture, behavior)

Stevan Harnad, PhD

Professor of Cognitive Science, Université du Québec à Montréal

Shelley M. Alexander, PhD

Professor, University of Calgary

Areas of Expertise: Canid conservation, human-coyote conflict, habitat modelling, road ecology, highway mitigation – overpasses, etc., population viability modelling, compassionate conservation,ethics in carnivore management, non-invasive research, ethics of field research...

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Areas of Expertise: animal behavior, ethology, cognitive ethology, animal minds, behavioral ecology, conservation, compassionate conservation Languages: English Associated Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder Read Marc’s bio here.

Lori Marino, PhD

Executive Director, The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

Areas of Expertise: neuroscience, zoos and aquariums, welfare of wild animals in captivity, marine mammal intelligence, primate intelligence, elephant intelligence, cognition and intelligence in farm animals, nonhuman rights and personhood,...

Lawrence A Hansen M.D.

Professor of Neurosciences and Pathology, University of California San Diego

Jonathan Balcombe, PhD

Biologist, ethologist, and author in Ontario Canada.

Areas of expertise: fish, bats, animal behavior, animal communication, animal cognition, animal emotions, animal sentience, animal rights, animal protection, veganism. Languages: English Read Jonathan’s bio here.

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

Culum Brown, PhD

Associate Professor, Macquarie University

Areas of Expertise: Fish behaviour, cognition, welfare Associated Organization: Macquarie University Read Culum’s bio here.

Con Slobodchikoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Biology, Northern Arizona University

Barbara J. King, PhD

Emerita Professor of Anthropology, William & Mary

Alan McElligott, PhD

Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, Queen Mary University of London

Areas of Expertise: goats, deer, animal behaviour and welfare Languages: English Associated Organization: Queen Mary University of London Read Alan’s bio here.

Animals used for food

Ron Broglio, PhD

Professor in English, Arizona State University

Areas of Expertise: philosophy, sustainability, art Languages: English Associated Organization: Arizona State University Read Ron’s bio here.

Núria Almiron, PhD

Associate Professor of Communication, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Areas of Expertise: agribusiness and factory farming, vivisection, interest groups, animal rights advocacy, veganism Languages: English, French, Spanish, Catalan Associated Organization: Universitat Pompeu Fabra Read Núria’s bio here.

Naama Harel, PhD

Lecturer in Hebrew and Comparative Literature, Columbia University

Melanie Joy, PhD, EdM

Psychologist, Author, NGO President, Beyond Carnism

Lori Marino, PhD

Executive Director, The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

Lisa Kemmerer, PhD, MTS

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religions, founder of Tapestry (vegan education and advocacy)

Joyce Tischler, JD

Founder, General Counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Areas of Expertise: animal law, legal rights for animals, CAFOs- concentrated animal feeding operations, aka factory “farms,” elephants; ag-gag laws; animal personhood, estate planning for animals, custody battles involving animals,...

Jonathan Balcombe, PhD

Biologist, ethologist, and author in Ontario Canada.

Helena Pedersen, PhD

Associate Professor of Education, Stockholm University

Areas of Expertise: Education and animals, veganism, zoos, speciesism, children and animals Languages: English, Swedish Associated Organization: Stockholm University Read Helena’s bio here.

Elizabeth Cherry

Associate Professor of Sociology, Manhattanville College

David Nibert, PhD

Professor of Sociology, Wittenberg University

Areas of Expertise: historical oppression of other animals; entangled oppression of humans and other animals; the oppression of other animals and the environment; consumption of products derived from other animals...

Carrie P. Freeman, PhD

Professor, Department of Communication, Georgia State University

Dr. Freeman is a teacher in media studies and a critical/cultural studies media researcher who has published in over 20 scholarly books and journals on media ethics, strategic communication for...

Carol Adams

Writer; Independent Scholar

Barbara J. King, PhD

Emerita Professor of Anthropology, William & Mary

Alan McElligott, PhD

Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, Queen Mary University of London

Areas of Expertise: goats, deer, animal behaviour and welfare Languages: English Associated Organization: Queen Mary University of London Read Alan’s bio here.

Animals used for research

Shelley M. Alexander, PhD

Professor, University of Calgary

Núria Almiron, PhD

Associate Professor of Communication, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Lori Marino, PhD

Executive Director, The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

Animals used for entertainment (zoos, aquariums, rodeos, circuses, tourism)

Tema Milstein, PhD

Associate Professor, Arts, Design & Architecture, University of New South Wales Sydney

Areas of Expertise: wildlife tourism, ecotourism, zoos, ecoculture, cetaceans, orcas, dolphins Languages: English Associated Organization: University of New South Wales Sydney Tema Milstein is an internationally recognised leader in the field...

Sarah M Bexell, PhD

Director of Humane Education, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver Visiting Clinical Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver Director of Conservation Education, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Faculty, Institute for Humane Education-Valparaiso University

Areas of Expertise: biodiversity decline, giant pandas, red pandas, humane education, animal rights, veganism, animals in child development Languages: English Associated Organization: University of Denver Read Sarah’s bio here.

Randy Malamud, PhD

Regents’ Professor of English, Georgia State University

Areas of Expertise: zoos, representations of animals, animals in film, animals in literature Languages: English, French Associated Organization: Georgia State University Read Randy’s bio here.

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Lori Marino, PhD

Executive Director, The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

Joyce Tischler, JD

Founder, General Counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Helena Pedersen, PhD

Associate Professor of Education, Stockholm University

Areas of Expertise: Education and animals, veganism, zoos, speciesism, children and animals Languages: English, Swedish Associated Organization: Stockholm University Read Helena’s bio here.

Chris Palmer

Distinguished Film Producer in Residence, School of Communication, American University; Founder AU Center for Environmental Filmmaking

Areas of expertise: environmental filmmaking, animals in entertainment, representations of animals in culture Language: English Associated Organization: American University Read Chris’ bio here.

Barbara J. King, PhD

Emerita Professor of Anthropology, William & Mary

Animals used for fashion (skins & fur)

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

Companion animals

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Leslie Irvine, PhD

Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

Areas of Expertise: Roles of animals in society Languages: English Associated Organization: University of Colorado Boulder Read Leslie’s bio here.

Joyce Tischler, JD

Founder, General Counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

Con Slobodchikoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Biology, Northern Arizona University

Christina Risley-Curtiss, MSSW, PhD

Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University

Culture, religion & animals in society

Tema Milstein, PhD

Associate Professor, Arts, Design & Architecture, University of New South Wales Sydney

Natalie Prosin, M.P.P, J.D.

Project Manager of the Animals, Law, and Religion Project

Areas of Expertise: Animal rights, legal personhood, animal law, great apes, elephants Languages: English Associated Organization: Harvard Law School Read Natalie’s bio here.

Melanie Joy, PhD, EdM

Psychologist, Author, NGO President, Beyond Carnism

Lisa Kemmerer, PhD, MTS

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religions, founder of Tapestry (vegan education and advocacy)

Helena Pedersen, PhD

Associate Professor of Education, Stockholm University

Areas of Expertise: Education and animals, veganism, zoos, speciesism, children and animals Languages: English, Swedish Associated Organization: Stockholm University Read Helena’s bio here.

Elizabeth Cherry

Associate Professor of Sociology, Manhattanville College

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

Carol Adams

Writer; Independent Scholar

Brian M. Lowe, PhD

Professor of Sociology, SUNY College at Oneonta

Economics & business ethics regarding animal use

Trey Sutton, PhD

Associate Professor of Management, University of Richmond

Areas of Expertise: corporate political donations, lobbying, animal agribusiness, veganism, Ag-Gag, environmental management Languages: English Associated Organization: University of Richmond Read Trey’s bio here.

Núria Almiron, PhD

Associate Professor of Communication, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Environmental protection & animals

Tema Milstein, PhD

Associate Professor, Arts, Design & Architecture, University of New South Wales Sydney

Sarah M Bexell, PhD

Director of Humane Education, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver Visiting Clinical Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver Director of Conservation Education, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Faculty, Institute for Humane Education-Valparaiso University

Ron Broglio, PhD

Professor in English, Arizona State University

Areas of Expertise: philosophy, sustainability, art Languages: English Associated Organization: Arizona State University Read Ron’s bio here.

Lisa Kemmerer, PhD, MTS

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religions, founder of Tapestry (vegan education and advocacy)

Joyce Tischler, JD

Founder, General Counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund

David Nibert, PhD

Professor of Sociology, Wittenberg University

Carter Dillard, JD, LLM

Director of Litigation, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Areas of Expertise: Law, Litigation, population, and bioethics. Languages: English, Spanish Associated Organization: Animal Legal Defense Fund Read Carter’s bio here.

Carrie P. Freeman, PhD

Professor, Department of Communication, Georgia State University

Dr. Freeman is a teacher in media studies and a critical/cultural studies media researcher who has published in over 20 scholarly books and journals on media ethics, strategic communication for...

Representations of animals in culture (media, advertising, literature, art, rhetoric)

Tema Milstein, PhD

Associate Professor, Arts, Design & Architecture, University of New South Wales Sydney

Randy Malamud, PhD

Regents’ Professor of English, Georgia State University

Areas of Expertise: zoos, representations of animals, animals in film, animals in literature Languages: English, French Associated Organization: Georgia State University Read Randy’s bio here.

Núria Almiron, PhD

Associate Professor of Communication, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Naama Harel, PhD

Lecturer in Hebrew and Comparative Literature, Columbia University

Matthew Cole, PhD

Associate Lecturer/Honorary Associate in Sociology, The Open University

Leslie Irvine, PhD

Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

Areas of Expertise: Roles of animals in society Languages: English Associated Organization: University of Colorado Boulder Read Leslie’s bio here.

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

David Nibert, PhD

Professor of Sociology, Wittenberg University

Chris Palmer

Distinguished Film Producer in Residence, School of Communication, American University; Founder AU Center for Environmental Filmmaking

Areas of expertise: environmental filmmaking, animals in entertainment, representations of animals in culture Language: English Associated Organization: American University Read Chris’ bio here.

Carrie P. Freeman, PhD

Professor, Department of Communication, Georgia State University

Dr. Freeman is a teacher in media studies and a critical/cultural studies media researcher who has published in over 20 scholarly books and journals on media ethics, strategic communication for...

Carol Adams

Writer; Independent Scholar

Brian M. Lowe, PhD

Professor of Sociology, SUNY College at Oneonta

Law & policy on animals

Stevan Harnad, PhD

Professor of Cognitive Science, Université du Québec à Montréal

Natalie Prosin, M.P.P, J.D.

Project Manager of the Animals, Law, and Religion Project

Areas of Expertise: Animal rights, legal personhood, animal law, great apes, elephants Languages: English Associated Organization: Harvard Law School Read Natalie’s bio here.

Leslie Irvine, PhD

Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

Areas of Expertise: Roles of animals in society Languages: English Associated Organization: University of Colorado Boulder Read Leslie’s bio here.

Lawrence A Hansen M.D.

Professor of Neurosciences and Pathology, University of California San Diego

Elizabeth Cherry

Associate Professor of Sociology, Manhattanville College

David Nibert, PhD

Professor of Sociology, Wittenberg University

Carter Dillard, JD, LLM

Director of Litigation, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Areas of Expertise: Law, Litigation, population, and bioethics. Languages: English, Spanish Associated Organization: Animal Legal Defense Fund Read Carter’s bio here.

Vegetarianism & veganism

Stevan Harnad, PhD

Professor of Cognitive Science, Université du Québec à Montréal

Sarah M Bexell, PhD

Director of Humane Education, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver Visiting Clinical Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver Director of Conservation Education, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Faculty, Institute for Humane Education-Valparaiso University

Núria Almiron, PhD

Associate Professor of Communication, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Naama Harel, PhD

Lecturer in Hebrew and Comparative Literature, Columbia University

Melanie Joy, PhD, EdM

Psychologist, Author, NGO President, Beyond Carnism

Matthew Cole, PhD

Associate Lecturer/Honorary Associate in Sociology, The Open University

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Lisa Kemmerer, PhD, MTS

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religions, founder of Tapestry (vegan education and advocacy)

Joyce Tischler, JD

Founder, General Counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Jonathan Balcombe, PhD

Biologist, ethologist, and author in Ontario Canada.

Helena Pedersen, PhD

Associate Professor of Education, Stockholm University

Areas of Expertise: Education and animals, veganism, zoos, speciesism, children and animals Languages: English, Swedish Associated Organization: Stockholm University Read Helena’s bio here.

Elizabeth Cherry

Associate Professor of Sociology, Manhattanville College

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

David Nibert, PhD

Professor of Sociology, Wittenberg University

Carrie P. Freeman, PhD

Professor, Department of Communication, Georgia State University

Dr. Freeman is a teacher in media studies and a critical/cultural studies media researcher who has published in over 20 scholarly books and journals on media ethics, strategic communication for...

Carol Adams

Writer; Independent Scholar

Wildlife species

Tema Milstein, PhD

Associate Professor, Arts, Design & Architecture, University of New South Wales Sydney

Shelley M. Alexander, PhD

Professor, University of Calgary

Sarah M Bexell, PhD

Director of Humane Education, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver Visiting Clinical Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver Director of Conservation Education, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Faculty, Institute for Humane Education-Valparaiso University

Ron Broglio, PhD

Professor in English, Arizona State University

Areas of Expertise: philosophy, sustainability, art Languages: English Associated Organization: Arizona State University Read Ron’s bio here.

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Joyce Tischler, JD

Founder, General Counsel, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Jonathan Balcombe, PhD

Biologist, ethologist, and author in Ontario Canada.

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

Con Slobodchikoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Biology, Northern Arizona University

Wildlife conservation

Tema Milstein, PhD

Associate Professor, Arts, Design & Architecture, University of New South Wales Sydney

Shelley M. Alexander, PhD

Professor, University of Calgary

Sarah M Bexell, PhD

Director of Humane Education, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, University of Denver Visiting Clinical Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver Director of Conservation Education, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Faculty, Institute for Humane Education-Valparaiso University

Ron Broglio, PhD

Professor in English, Arizona State University

Areas of Expertise: philosophy, sustainability, art Languages: English Associated Organization: Arizona State University Read Ron’s bio here.

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Lori Marino, PhD

Executive Director, The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

Lisa Kemmerer, PhD, MTS

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religions, founder of Tapestry (vegan education and advocacy)

Jonathan Balcombe, PhD

Biologist, ethologist, and author in Ontario Canada.

Elizabeth Cherry

Associate Professor of Sociology, Manhattanville College

Debra Merskin, PhD

Professor Emerit, School of Journalism & Communication, University of Oregon

Dr. Merskin is a teacher and scholar who is committed to removing the veil from representations of any and all beings who are shown in limited and limiting ways. She...

Culum Brown, PhD

Associate Professor, Macquarie University

Areas of Expertise: Fish behaviour, cognition, welfare Associated Organization: Macquarie University Read Culum’s bio here.