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I have a sociology / critical cultural studies background and my area of professional expertise (over thirty years experience) relates to the 'international development' agenda – in particular analysis of food injustice and the resulting outcomes of malnutrition (which can take many forms). Not surprisingly the agenda is dominated by an emphasis on technical and reductionist assessment, diagnosis and treatment rather than focusing on political dynamics and inequality.

Literature in English since 1945 with a focus on the representation of animals and animal ethics.

My research focuses on the representation of animals and the ethics of human-animal relations in literature, film and culture since 1945. My first degree was in English Language and Literature at the University of Glasgow. I then came to Sheffield to study for an MA in Narrative and completed a PhD here in 2004. I have taught in the School of English since then.

Research interests:

  • Critical Animal Studies; animal rights, suffering, and injustice
  • Writing the animal
  • Emotions in culture and society
  • The embodiment of emotions in running
  • Writing production processes
  • Animal Feelings (e.g. despair and denial of animal exploitation; biodiversity loss; vegan fatigue)
  • Environmental journalism practice and principles, especially animals and biodiversity
  • Cognitive sciences and the media

Current Research Work:

Dr Shireen Kassam is a Consultant Haematologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at King’s College Hospital, London with a specialist interest in the treatment of lymphoma.

Natalie Joelle is a prize-winning scholar and Arts and Humanities Research Council doctoral researcher, creative and activist at Birkbeck, University of London publishing in the environmental humanities, vegan theory and research as practice.

A founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Michael Greger, MD, is a physician, New York Times bestselling author, and internationally recognized speaker on clinical nutrition. He has lectured at the Conference on World Affairs, testified before Congress, and was invited as an expert witness in the defence of Oprah Winfrey in the infamous "meat defamation" trial. He is a graduate of Cornell University School of Agriculture and Tufts University School of Medicine. His latest book How Not to Die became an instant New York Times Best Seller.

Sam has spent nearly 25 years working in marketing and public relations, mostly in the not-for-profit sector and has a long connection with The Vegan Society. She joined the Society as a member over twenty years ago, was a Trustee for a few years in the late 1990s, worked as a freelancer covering media relations for the Society from 2012-2014, was Researcher in Residence for the Society’s 70th anniversary in 2014 and is now Head of Communications. Additionally, Sam is a member of our RAC with a PhD in Christianity and vegetarianism (Birmingham University).

Paul has degrees in mathematics (Warwick University, 1976) and mathematical statistics (Birmingham University, 1977). He joined the Cancer Epidemiology Unit full-time in October 1996, having previously worked part-time at the Clinical Trials Services Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU) and other groups within the Nuffield Department of Population Health.

Reflecting on my educational experiences, from my BSc in Nutrition and Human Health and the master's degree in Clinical Nutrition I'm currently undertaking, each stage has helped me to appreciate the clinical knowledge concerning optimal health and nutritional status- a topic which I thoroughly wish to further develop whilst completing my masters this year.

My strong interest directed towards veganism stems from my upbringing as a lacto-vegetarian. As a result of undertaking my bachelors in the field of Nutrition, I was naturally inclined to learn about the health benefits of meat-free diets. This knowledge ultimately led me to learn about the benefits of adopting a vegan diet which was backed up by various scientific research. Not only does practicing veganism bring me a great deal of comfort (knowing that I am not contributing to or funding animal suffering) but various studies within the nutritional field have indicated the strong positive health effects of adopting a vegan lifestyle. In addition, I often aim to attend vegan conferences and network with like-minded vegan professionals.

Also, I am currently waiting to gain ethical approval for my masters dissertation, where I plan to incorporate the use of vegan diets. Specifically, I am interested in measuring the effects of meat reduction on weight loss parameters and gut hormones.

The knowledge I have acquired whilst I was working towards my undergraduate degree overlaps with the key foundation of interpreting nutritional status to provide nutritional requirements for various age groups. From studying various modules such as clinical nutrition and energy, obesity and homeostasis, it has prepared me to competently provide practical advice to patients, clients, and the general public. I believe that my understanding and interest in these topics form a solid foundation from which I can build the necessary skills and understanding in order to become a competent clinical nutritionist. In addition, during my final year, I carried out a participant-based dissertation focusing on health promotion. I set out to explore the effects of various dietary fibre sources on satiety and bowel functioning. Overall, my research gained positive trends- indicating a strong correlation between oral fibre intake and gastrointestinal health and was subsequently published within the proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2016).

Essentially, I am a highly enthusiastic, self-motivated, and hard working student; these qualities will allow me to persevere as a future clinical nutritionist. I have shown these qualities by completing training during my time at university (under a government funded health organisation) at Live Well Suffolk, which ultimately qualified me to become a volunteer healthcare champion. My main duty was to help deliver practical advice and guidance for people looking to lead a healthier lifestyle inside and outside of university. This position furthered my desire to help people within the community. This was a unique experience which helped me to understand the role of the health care professionals working for Live Well Suffolk within a community setting. It allowed me to not only appreciate the clinical aspects involved in their role, but also other backgrounds implemented through community interventions; health promotion and governance. This experience has provided me with a primary insight to the field in which I can truly envision myself being part of.

To help me reach my goals, in the past I have had positions of responsibility throughout my academic years. I truly find satisfaction through giving back to the community and so I have been a representative of our community's Hindu society. I have raised money for less able children in India and have personally been there to provide less fortunate children necessities like food and clothing. The experience has taught me the value of medicinal care, as many of the people were handicapped and appeared very weak. This charity work has now become an annual event which I find extremely emotionally rewarding.

 

 

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