CFP: Conference „Smelling“ of the British Animal Studies Network

At the meetings of the British Animal Studies Network held at the University of Strathclyde over the past three years we have been engaging with the senses: with the bodily engagement with the material world that on some levels we share with animals, and that distinguish animals from us, and from each other, in some remarkable and telling ways. Following on the heels of ‘Looking’, ‘Feeling’ and ‘Tasting’, ‘Smelling’ invites thinking about the smell of animals (their aromas); animals’ smelling powers (their capacities); and human engagement (or lack of it) with smell. Invited speakers confirmed for this meeting are Andrew Gardiner (Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh) and Sandra Swart (History, Stellenbosch University, South Africa).

As well as these invited speakers we are also issuing this call for papers. If you are interested in giving a paper addressing the topic from whatever disciplinary perspective please submit your title, with an abstract of no more than 200 words and a brief biography (also of no more than 200 words). These should be included within your email – i.e. not as attachments. Please send them to erica.fudge. The deadline for abstracts is Friday 15 January 2016. Presentations will be 20 minutes long, and we hope to include work by individuals at different career stages. Sadly we have no money to support travel, accommodation or attendance costs.

Topics covered at this meeting might include (but are not limited to):

· the smell of animals (the aroma they give off) and how that is controlled
· different cultural understandings of animals’ capacity to smell
· the scenting capacity of animals, and human uses of that capacity
· the (im)possibility of representing the ability to smell in discourse and its implications for some animals
· smell and intimacy for and with animals

We would welcome papers that deal with such issues in contemporary and historical settings, and would especially like to see papers that address these issues from contexts outside the UK, including the Global South. Papers are welcomed from across animal studies, including disciplines such as (but not limited to) geography, anthropology, sociology, literary studies, art history, history, science and technology studies, ethology, psychology, behavioural sciences and ecology.

Professor Erica Fudge, School of Humanities, University of Strathclyde, Lord Hope Building, Level 4, 141 St James Road, Glasgow G4 0LT