My research is about how science shapes our understandings of animals, and what those understandings mean for animals themselves. It’s the product of a long intellectual journey — from science and the body, through new materialism and affect, to the material and non-linguistic dimensions of words, and finally to animals. Throughout, I’ve been drawn to the edges of established fields. The problems I’m most interested in don’t always have a name.
Creating the conditions for collective intellectual life is as important to me as writing. Much of my work has been developed through collaboration — especially through organising international conferences and seminar series, and leading research centres (Centre for the Study of Invention and Social Process, 2003–2008; the Methods Lab, 2012–2016). In 2024, I helped establish the Institute for Contemporary Critical Thought (ICCT), an independent forum for critical and artistic enquiry and experimentation. The ICCT runs a programme of seminars, reading groups, writing sessions, summer schools, and public events.
I’d welcome hearing from you.
Affiliations and advisory roles
- Department of Geography, University College London (Honorary Senior Researcher)
- Institute for Contemporary Critical Thought (co-founder and Trustee)
- New School of the Anthropocene (member of teaching ensemble)
- Goldsmiths, University of London (Professor Emeritus)
- Public Advisory Group, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
