Academic Presentations: PHAIR Edinburgh 2025 and IAVS Conference 2025
- ondinesherman
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
In 2025, I was delighted to be able to present early findings from my PhD research at two international academic conferences.
1) IAVS Conference 2025- The Transformational Potential of Human Animal Eye Contact
Title: Sensory experiences and the body: The transformational potential of human-animal eye contact
Abstract: My research investigates the significance of eye contact between humans and animals, exploring its transformative potential through participant accounts and the lens of relational, ecofeminist theoretical frameworks. Scholarship suggests that eye contact can foster interspecies connection, be a catalyst for profound, life-changing experiences, challenge anthropocentric worldviews and prompt ethical reconsiderations of the human-animal relationship. I conducted in-depth interviews with self-identified Animal People, Australians aged 18-24 years, who hold an animal rights perspective, are vegan-aspiring, and engaged in animal advocacy. Participants recalled moments of eye contact with animals and the emotional and cognitive impact that it had on them. They described how they influenced their understanding of animals as morally equal to humans, “like people”, subjects of a life, and possessing souls. Furthermore, participants discussed how these moments led to pro-animal values and a desire to act on behalf of animals. My findings suggest that interspecies eye contact can serve as a powerful tool for reimagining human-animal relationships and ethical responsibilities.
2) PHAIR Edinburgh 2025 -Becoming an Animal Person: Animals as partners in our transformation
Title: Becoming an Animal Person: Animals as agents in our transformation
Abstract: This research examines animals as agents who transform individuals into Animal People. It adds to scholarship addressing systemic, violent animal exploitation and suggests tools to create real-world change.
Through in-depth interviews, I explore Animal People’s relationships with companion animals and significant encounters with wild animals. Participants also recount transformational experiences with animals through visual media including documentaries and social media. They describe how animals influenced their worldviews and vegan aspirations. Participants are Australians aged 18-25 years who identify as Animal People, in that they hold pro-animal worldviews, are vegans (or aspiring), and engaged in the animal protection movement.
My results show strong themes including awe, eye contact, trauma experiences, breaking the subject/object dichotomy, and animals as kin.
My research hopes to contribute to advocacy and education strategies to increase the number of individuals with animal rights values and a vegan lifestyle, increasing pressure for societal change and animal flourishing.
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