Human-Animal Studies Speaker Series

Each year the HAST program brings faculty, students, and community members together for a lecture series featuring world-renowned animal scholars and activists. These lectures (usually three per year) draw a mixed and lively audience of from fifty to one hundred fifty people. Past themes of the Series have included the mental lives of farmed animals, shared human-animal experiences at the margins of society, and living at the wildlife-urban interface. The lectures are followed by Q and A time and informal conversations.

Students are given the opportunity to make personal connections with our lecturers at dinners and beyond. Past speakers have included marine biologist Lori Marino, animal ethologist Marc Bekoff, Farm Sanctuary founder Gene Baur, and ecofeminist author Carol J. Adams.

Upcoming Speakers

Guest Speakers:  Dr. Irene Pepperberg, PhD and Dr. Jan Hooimeijer, DVM, CPBC
Topic: Parrot Behavior and Welfare
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 26th at 7:00
Location: Gregory 161

Join Dr. Irene Pepperburg and Dr. Jan Hooimeijer as they discuss how to show respect for parrots and animals by emphasizing the need to acknowledge their intelligence and cognitive abilities.  This talk will discuss how to create a relationship based on mutual respect and trust to ensure their welfare and avoid behavioral problems. 

Dr. Irene Pepperberg is representing 45 years of scientific research, working with African grey parrots in the field of intelligence and cognition.

Dr. Jan Hooimeijer is representing 42 years of dealing with behavior/welfare problems in parrots in daily practice. Parrots are part of families with children and other companion animals and make us look in the mirror telling us that they experience that there is something wrong.

Previous HAST Speakers