Call for papers: Conference on animals and human-animal relations in the Habsburg Empire.

Call for papers: Conference on animals and human-animal relations in the Habsburg Empire. 3.-4. October 2024, Ljubljana.

We are pleased to announce a call for papers for a conference on animals and human-animal relations in the Habsburg Empire. This conference aims to explore the lives of animals and various aspects of the complex and multifaceted interactions between humans and animals in the course of the long nineteenth century.

In recent decades, following the "animal turn," animals have been increasingly integrated into various academic disciplines, including history. However, they remain relatively neglected within the subfield of Habsburg studies. Central Europe, home to numerous animals whose lives dramatically changed during the last century of the Habsburg Empire, also experienced significant transformations in human attitudes and practices toward animals. Despite this, the following topics have not been thoroughly addressed.

To fill this gap and start a conversation on animal related topics, we invite submissions on the following topics:

The influence of religion and spirituality on attitudes towards animals.

Ethical considerations in zoo management and conservation efforts.

The emergence and spread of vegetarianism.

Vivisection and antivivisection movements.

Representations of animals in literature, art, and popular culture.

Educational approaches to teaching about human-animal relationships.

Legislative frameworks and policies governing animal welfare.

Human attitudes towards nature and their implications for conservation efforts.

The phenomenon of pet ownership and its societal impacts.

The intersection of agricultural practices, technological advancements, and animal welfare.

The economic significance of animals in various industries.

The role of inspectors and regulatory bodies in enforcing animal welfare laws.

The relationship between nationalism and attitudes towards animals.

Contributions of scientific research to the understanding of human-animal relations.

The spread and influence of animal protection societies in Central Europe and beyond.

The connection between animals and public health.

We welcome submissions from scholars working in any relevant discipline. Abstracts should be submitted by June 25th 2024 and should not exceed 200 words. Selected papers will be invited for presentation at the conference, with opportunities for publication in an edited volume or a themed journal.

Join us in exploring the diverse and dynamic interactions between humans and animals, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this important field. We look forward to your participation at our conference that will take place on the 3rd and 4th of October 2024 in Ljubljana.

For inquiries and submissions, please contact Daša Ličen (ZRC SAZU) and Wolfgang Göderle (University of Innsbruck|Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology),  dasa.licen@zrc-sazu.si respectively goederle@gea.mpg.de.