On April 21st, Ben Meiches kicked off PPPA’s Spring Research Seminar with a provocative presentation entitled “Smelly Liaisons: On Multispecies Humanitarianism.”  His talk was based on research contained in his forthcoming book Humanitarianism Beyond the Human: Interventions with Animals (University of Minnesota Press). Prof. Meiches presentation discussed the contributions of rats to landmine clearance operations and the role goats and cows play in addressing chronic hunger and malnutrition. He argues that nonhuman animals should be understood as humanitarian actors and, consequently, he calls for a shift in the focus of humanitarian intervention from exclusively human interest to broader, ecological concerns.

Next up in the seminar: 

Prof. Dustin Crummett,  May 2nd, 12:30 to 1:30, TPS 104 (in person)  “It Is Wrong to Kill Infants For No Reason”

followed by:

Prof. Darrah McCracken, May 19th, 12:30-1:30, Zoom Link: https://washington.zoom.us/s/6397931700    “Moral Injury in the Pandemic”