Higher Education For Animal Advocacy
Just a couple of decades ago, it was pretty much impossible to forge an academic path that involved studying animal issues. Back then, scholars who were interested in doing animal-related work might have to figure out how to fit their ideas into the confines of faculties such as philosophy or cultural studies, or find a way to bring a compassionate perspective to the generally dispassionate fields of science or biology. Those who were lucky might find a thesis supervisor who was open to their ideas, while those who were less lucky would just have to study something else.
Fortunately, much has changed in the last 20 years, and studying animal issues is much more of a possibility now. While not every university or college has an Animal Studies or related program or specialization, many more might have a few courses offered by a dedicated professor. Though the path is still far from simple, there are more and more opportunities presenting themselves every day.
In the roundtable discussion that follows, we ask a selection of Faunalytics ambassadors (both current and former) and staff and ambassadors about their experiences doing higher education for animal advocacy — the positives, the negatives, and everything in between.
What led you to study animal issues in higher education? Was it an extension of your post-secondary or grad studies?
Grace Hussain, Writer at Sentient Media, Admin Manager at Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations
Prior to pursuing my graduate degree, I was working at an animal shelter. Sheltering is one of the most obvious places where human rights and animal rights intersect, and I wanted to learn more about these intersections and how to be a better advocate for both humans and animals within the animal rights space. I chose the Animals & Public Policy program at Tufts University specifically because I saw a need for improved policies within animal issues — policies that seek real, practical solutions for the problems being faced instead of simply punishing people. Though I’m not working as directly on policy as I thought I would be, I am working to highlight the intersections between human and animal rights in my work as a writer for Sentient Media and Administrative Manager for the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Programs.
Clara Dell, Research Consultant at Field Projects International
I think I pursued graduate school a little later than most (started at 29), mostly because I couldn’t really commit to doing one thing for the rest of my life. I had a lot of varied experiences, but realized animal-related work was the one thing I would regret not pursuing. I didn’t have much of a biology background (I studied anthropology and environment in my undergrad), so vet school wasn’t really appealing to me. I also considered wildlife management, but that felt a little too limited as well. I chose the Animals & Public Policy program at Tufts University because it provided a more applicable angle to animal studies (with the policy component) and I would learn about a variety of animal issues, not just wildlife.
Natalie Amezcua, Curriculum and Content Developer at RISE Travel Institute
I always felt like an isolated member of my community as an animal lover and as someone who considered animals in the way I lived my life. I moved to Asia (South Korea and China) after my undergraduate degree for 4 years and that isolation continued, but with a more profound emphasis on the harsh realities animals face at the hands of entire communities and populations. On my weekly routes to work in the countryside of South Korea where I lived for two years, I passed by a few small dog farms of about 5-15 dogs cramped in metal crates on the roadside. One farm was in the parking lot of a gas station on the side of the main highway in that area. Another was next to a home surrounded by mountains and trees on a small road out of the main intersections, a lot less visible to the public eye. I also passed by several dogs short-chained alone next to a wooden dog house in the middle of a plot of land in the mountains. No blankets or bedding, food, or outside shading in sight. They remained there during extreme weather conditions — both in the scorching summer where temperatures were in the mid-90s Fahrenheit and 100% humidity, as well as biting cold winters where temperatures would drop to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit and snow was a regular occurrence. I learned to be numb to the realities that surrounded me on the outside, but on the inside, I knew I wanted to begin working in animal protection. That was when I officially became vegan and began making changes that were within my reach. Searching for graduate degrees that would aid me in this work was a weekly habit. I now study humane education, looking at the interconnections between animal welfare, human rights, and environmental ethics through a systems-thinking lens. My goal is to understand how solutions may unintentionally harm others (people, animals, environment) in the process and how to create solutions that promote the most good and the least harm to all stakeholders involved.
Casey Riordan, Content Editor at Faunalytics
My journey into animal-related education was nothing short of serendipitous! I was living in Australia and working in a completely unrelated field (technology communications). However, animal fostering and volunteering with companion animals was something I’d done for most of my life. Even though I had a successful career, I lived every day with a little voice in the back of my mind telling me that I would never be truly happy until I dedicated my life to making a difference for our non-human friends. I didn’t know where to begin making a career switch, so I began doing a bit of Internet sleuthing. It was then that I came across New York University’s brand new Animal Studies M.A. program. Applications were due in about a month, so I went out on a limb and applied, assuming it was a long shot. Thank goodness I was wrong! I moved back to the U.S. in 2018 and became one of the first people to graduate from the program in 2020. While I went into the program assuming I would study companion animal advocacy, I’m pleased to say that I learned about nearly every animal issue out there — which benefits me now, as I work on a wide variety of topics here at Faunalytics.
How was your overall experience? Did the institution you were part of have a dedicated Animal Studies program? If not, how did you negotiate your field of study within another program?
Clara Dell, Research Consultant at Field Projects International
Since officially graduating, I have been employed as a Research Ambassador with Faunalytics as well as a One Health Research Consultant with an organization called Field Projects International. I am still looking for a full-time position, however. I think pursuing a master’s degree at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic was fairly limiting to the connections I was able to make with professionals in this field. Additionally, while I learned a ton, I think the graduate program I did may be best suited to someone who already has an established career and wants to shift the focus of that career towards animals. It has been somewhat difficult to break into this field post-grad.
Natalie Amezcua, Curriculum and Content Developer at RISE Travel Institute
I graduate this summer, actually, which is very exciting. In the meantime, the program advisors have been preparing me to create content, curriculum, and projects that aim to educate communities on the connections between our actions and undesirable outcomes to others we may not even be aware of. For example, by consuming animal meat, I am contributing to more than just global warming. My meat-consumption habits affect: the lives of factory farm workers; the environment in which these farms are located; the lives of communities who live near these farms and their health which causes a strain on health-care systems and infrastructres; and, of course, the lives of the animals who are subjected to cruel industrial farming practices.
Casey Riordan, Content Editor at Faunalytics
I’m proud to say that I’ve been at Faunalytics since I graduated! I started as the Communications and Development Manager, and now I work with our content team as the Content Editor. My role mainly entails making sure that all of the content we share on our platform — library summaries, blogs, infographics, and everything in between — meets Faunalytics’ high standards and provides valuable information for advocates to use in their campaigns. While the content aspect of the role was something I was qualified to do before graduating from NYU, I doubt I would have been a standout candidate if I hadn’t completed the Animal Studies program. I left with a wealth of knowledge about many different animal issues, but especially farmed animal advocacy and how it fits into the effective altruism movement. I can honestly say that I didn’t know a thing about these topics before my degree! I’ll never forget preparing for my Faunalytics interview. I asked my fellow students who worked in the movement to share their biggest challenges so I would know how to address them at Faunalytics. Then I spoke with my professor and mentor, Jeff Sebo, who helped me prepare for the effective altruism side of the interview. I felt as though I had a team of advocates behind me setting me up for success, and now I’ve made a wonderful and fulfilling career out of it.
What were your favorite aspects of the program? Any unexpected joys?
Grace Hussain, Writer at Sentient Media, Admin Manager at Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations
I very much enjoyed all the new and varied experiences I was able to have as part of my program. I had the opportunity to meet with the owner of a horse breeding farm and stay up all night to watch for mares to labor. I had the opportunity to speak with chicken farmers, cow farmers, and pig farmers. I met with various researchers that perform lab animal research. Though all of these experiences were extremely sad, they provided me with a necessary perspective for which I am grateful. By listening to them and learning from them, I became a stronger advocate because I have a better understanding of both sides of these issues.
Natalie Amezcua, Curriculum and Content Developer at RISE Travel Institute
My favorite part of the program was the culture of positivity it fostered. The realities of the deep-rooted issues regarding social justice and the pain and suffering that people, animals, and our planet are experiencing are overwhelmingly depressing. However, the culture of the program is to focus on hope — finding ways to educate and bring about change through tangible and lasting impacts is a challenge we find joy in. I really enjoyed learning about the interconnections between issues — it allowed me to view a situation and understand the connections beyond my visual scope and beyond what i or my neighbors would see or be willing to acknowledge and feel.
Casey Riordan, Content Editor at Faunalytics
I’d definitely say the people made the program. I assumed everyone would be like me — a communications professional interested in making a career switch. However, we had aspiring veterinarians, people who worked at animal sanctuaries, future lawyers, historians and language majors, and more. My colleagues (and now friends) came from all walks of life and countries around the world, and it made our cohort stronger as we were able to bounce ideas off each other and share different perspectives in our classes. It also means I have a wonderful network of advocates I can turn to if I need advice, help, or someone to talk to about our movement. A few of us started a Whatsapp student group when we were going through the program in 2018, and it’s evolved into a much bigger group for both current students and alumni! I’d say that’s an unexpected joy — coming in at the foundation of the program and seeing it grow to what it is today. Another joy was having access to global leaders in our movement who would pop in to do Q&As and lectures, and generally support the program.
What were some challenges you faced in your studies? What advice would you give to yourself if you could go back in time?
Clara Dell, Research Consultant at Field Projects International
I think one of the challenges of a one-year master’s program is simply that I wish there was more time to delve more deeply into all animal issues. We covered an enormous range of topics, but there is always so much more to learn!
Natalie Amezcua, Curriculum and Content Developer at RISE Travel Institute
Challenges I faced were more on the personal side. The complex, pain-ridden unfairness of social justice and animal rights issues are overwhelming, and bearing witness is an important part of that learning process. I struggled with overwhelming feelings of heavy emotions. Sadness, anger, frustration, defeat, etc. The community this program offered throughout this process was what kept me emotionally stable throughout that era of my life where the learning continued to add to these emotions. Advice I would give myself? Talk about this process more. Talk to people around you, even if they don't understand, speaking with someone in real-time and in your social circle is important to avoid feelings of isolation in a very loud world.
Casey Riordan, Content Editor at Faunalytics
For me, the biggest challenge was (surprisingly) the interdisciplinary nature of the Animal Studies program. I already had a master’s degree in social psychology, and I was used to having advisors in my field of expertise who could guide me on very specific details of my thesis and research interests. At NYU, my professors were philosophers, anthropologists, sociologists, climate scientists — incredible experts to learn from, but not social psychologists! Instead of sticking with psychology and running with it, I had a tendency to try to fit my interests into my professors’ areas of expertise. That didn’t necessarily work in my favor, because their areas of study weren’t as interesting to me, and there were a ton of fascinating social psychological topics that I never got to explore throughout the program. If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself to stop doubting myself and my interests. The good news is, much of the research we do at Faunalytics is in the social psychological domain, so things worked out for me in the end!
What advice would you give to other students who are hoping to do post-secondary or grad studies in an animal field?
Grace Hussain, Writer at Sentient Media, Admin Manager at Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations
Seeking a higher degree in critical animal studies or animals and public policy, or anything outside of an agriculturally based animal studies program is difficult because there are still so few programs out there. The advice I would give is to look outside the programs when making your decision. I made the mistake of attending graduate school in a very cold climate, something that I was not equipped for and led to a lot of seasonal depression. Be sure to give thought to what non-academic factors are important to you. Perhaps, like me, the weather is very important for your mental health or maybe you value diversity or perhaps cost of living is a restraining factor. There are options out there, so take the time and find the one that’s right for you.
Clara Dell, Research Consultant at Field Projects International
I think there is a lot of hesitation about what kind of jobs are available, which is definitely something to look into before applying. However, I don’t think you should let this stop you from pursuing additional studies- any increase in the number of advocates for animals is a win! There are currently so many more voices exploiting animals than helping them. Even just being able to have educated conversations with people you know could help start changing minds.
Natalie Amezcua, Curriculum and Content Developer at RISE Travel Institute
To be honest, this is not a conventional route or degree to take. One frustrating question that always comes up is: “What are you going to do with your degree?” or “So what now?” or “Are there any jobs in that field?” It’s frustrating because it isn’t a conventional degree. Because of this, there also isn’t a conventional route or an easy answer to the questions often asked by those around you. But the great thing (which can still be frustrating as you begin job searching) is that you can paint your life in whatever strokes you wish to. This doesn't mean it will be easy, but the knowledge you gain from this specific post-graduate degree program prepares you for the hard work needed to be done. Whether it's education-based, policy-making, or advocating in all the other ways one can, you are a professional and you come to understand not just the problems you aim to tackle, but the solutions you know to seek. The hard part is getting other people on board. But the knowledge is there. That is the amazing thing about it. We need professional advocates who can tackle the complexities of animal rights from systemic and cultural roots in order to bring about tangible change; change in mindsets, change in policy, change in behaviors, beliefs, and culture.
Casey Riordan, Content Editor at Faunalytics
This is something I get asked a lot. My best advice is this: You don’t have to have it all figured out when you start the program, but you should have a general plan to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success after you graduate. For example, think about the types of careers you might be interested in — journalism? Academia? Cultured protein development? And find ways of gearing your degree toward your fields of interest. This might include taking a class or two in a topic that interests you, but it could also mean taking on a summer internship or networking with folks who work in your target field. When developing your plan, I have two recommendations:
- Have a backup plan: Don’t put all your vegan eggs into one basket. You might have your heart set on a certain industry (like policymaking), but make sure to dabble in something else (like marketing). Education is a time for exploration, and you never know what career path will ultimately be the right one for you.
- Gear your animal protection career toward your strengths: This is especially helpful for those in interdisciplinary programs. If your goal is to help animals in any way possible, my recommendation is to think about what you’re good at (and what you like to do). For me, that was writing and communicating. Because of this, I was able to secure a job right after graduating within the animal advocacy movement as a writer and communicator. For you, it might be fundraising, conducting research, engineering, or human resources. The movement needs people from all backgrounds, so play to your strengths when thinking about your future.
