TRANS-SPECIES
STUDY
Trans-species psychology is rooted in
methods and enquiry that eschew causing distress or damage in the
process of knowledge-making. In contrast to the past scientific paradigm,
trans-species psychology does not support the gathering of "knowledge
for the sake of knowledge." Prioritizing research over the wellbeing
of animals has been one of the primary causes of animal suffering.
Chimpanzees, rats, mice, fish, and others are used routinely as experimental
subjects with little consideration for their rights as living beings.
Elephants, wolves, deer, lions, orcas, turkeys, and others are manipulated
and "managed" through conservation methods such as culls, translocations,
confinement, and artificial insemination with little regard for the
emotional, social, and psychological costs.
Trans-species science is based on the concept of Animal Participatory Action Research (APAR). Participatory Action Research (PAR) is guided by the work of Paulo Freire and his concept of conscientization. Conscientization seeks to give voice to those who have been silenced and not conventionally included in decision and knowledge making. As objectified property, animals are one group who has been silenced. This lack of inclusion translates to ineffective and inaccurate understanding and definition of issues and false solutions.
Inclusion in learning and knowledge-making process brings inclusion in decision and cultural making. APAR ensures that equality of knowledge value regardless of species. Inclusion implicitly involves the deconstruction of perceptions, concepts, and behaviour that engenders exclusion and therefore requires cultural change. Study becomes an agent of cultural change. To include animals in the knowledge-making process expands communication and investigative modalities beyond what is practiced conventionally in science to be able to include animals as partners in knowledge and decision-making. Integral to Kerulos research and education is inter-species dialogue and beauty.
photo credits
"Elke and Ralph", photo courtesy Elke Riesterer, CMT
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Trans-species science is based on the concept of Animal Participatory Action Research (APAR). Participatory Action Research (PAR) is guided by the work of Paulo Freire and his concept of conscientization. Conscientization seeks to give voice to those who have been silenced and not conventionally included in decision and knowledge making. As objectified property, animals are one group who has been silenced. This lack of inclusion translates to ineffective and inaccurate understanding and definition of issues and false solutions.
Inclusion in learning and knowledge-making process brings inclusion in decision and cultural making. APAR ensures that equality of knowledge value regardless of species. Inclusion implicitly involves the deconstruction of perceptions, concepts, and behaviour that engenders exclusion and therefore requires cultural change. Study becomes an agent of cultural change. To include animals in the knowledge-making process expands communication and investigative modalities beyond what is practiced conventionally in science to be able to include animals as partners in knowledge and decision-making. Integral to Kerulos research and education is inter-species dialogue and beauty.
photo credits
"Elke and Ralph", photo courtesy Elke Riesterer, CMT
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2010 Kerulos Center All rights reserved
"Science in service to animals"
