Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence: Passion, Praxis, and Presence

This book highlights significant contributions to animal studies and animal rights activism regarding the total liberation of all life on Earth for more peaceful non/human coexistence. Contributors push the concept of coexistence to include not merely existing but for all to thrive in a multispecies world.

Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence serves as a unifying platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common goal of achieving total liberation and fostering coexistence between humans and nonhumans beyond the confines of our shared planet. The chapters delve into a wide range of subjects, including critical analyses of human/nonhuman interactions, strategies for enhancing liberation efforts, and the significance of drawing inspiration from nonhuman entities.

Several chapters within this book push the field toward innovative paths by proposing solutions to detrimental practices and organizational frameworks. Moreover, they underscore the interconnectedness of animal advocacy with other social justice movements, thereby fostering collaboration among advocates of various liberation causes. Veganism, in its broadest sense, emerges as a recurring motif that weaves together the diverse themes explored in this book, facilitating a cohesive approach toward anti-oppressive endeavors.

To amplify the voices of marginalized communities, the editors have strategically positioned chapters authored by individuals of color and other underrepresented groups at the forefront of this book, granting them prominent roles in sections such as the foreword, preface, and afterword. This arrangement challenges content creators to redefine their understanding of ＂meaningful＂ content creation, urging them to prioritize original insights, emotionally resonant narratives, and incisive critiques over recycled ideas that may saturate discourse and stifle diverse perspectives.

Readers are encouraged to actively engage in alleviating nonhuman suffering while respecting the autonomy of nonhuman entities to flourish, equipping themselves with the skills necessary to discern between the two. This call to action underscores the imperative of fostering empathy and understanding in our interactions with the nonhuman world, paving the way for a more compassionate and inclusive future.

Sarah Tomasello is an independent scholar who received bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and religious studies and a master’s of science in anthrozoology from Canisius College. Throughout her studies and publications, Sarah’s work has focused on the intersections between decolonization, animal rights, and wildlife conservation. She is especially interested in improving conservation initiatives so that they are respectful and inclusive of indigenous communities, as well as being more compassionate toward the nonhuman individuals they impact. Sarah has had several publications in (critical) animal-studies journals and books.

Erin Jones holds a BSc in anthropology and psychology from Trent University, a MSc in anthrozoology from Canisius College, and a PhD in human-animal studies from the University of Canterbury. Erin’s primary research interests are the dog-human relationship, the power dynamics of pet-keeping based on the paradigm of human exceptionalism, and concepts around canine consent. Erin is a certified dog-behavior consultant and an accredited dog trainer. She is also the owner of Merit Dog Project, an educational platform for assisting dog caregivers and those involved in dog education and is an instructor at the IAABC Foundation.

Mark Suchyta is a scholar, teacher, activist, and artist whose work broadly focuses on how humans can better coexist with other animals and the rest of nature. He has a PhD in sociology and environmental science and policy from Michigan State University, which includes a graduate specialization in animal studies. Mark has published articles in various peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Social Forces, Energy Research & Social Science, and Agriculture and Human Values. He is currently a visiting professor of sociology and criminology at Butler University in Indianapolis, where he teaches courses on environmentalism, human-animal relationships, and introductory sociology.

Nathan Poirier is a tutor and adjunct instructor at Lansing Community College with graduate specializations in (critical) animal studies and women’s and gender studies and advanced degrees in anthrozoology, mathematics, and sociology. Nathan coedited the book Emerging New Voices in Critical Animal Studies: Vegan Studies for Total Liberation (Peter Lang, 2022) and has had several interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary publications in diverse animal-studies and environmental journals and book chapters.