Interaction between humans and animals in military contexts

Welcome to a two-day workshop on human and animal relations in military contexts.

Bringing together scholars from Sweden, Europe, and Asia, this event dives into the emerging field at the crossroads of human-animal history and military history, with a particular focus on the methodological and conceptual challenges it presents. Topics will include, but are not limited to, the roles of animals in imperial warfare and state-building; the emotional bonds formed between soldiers, civilians, and their animals during wartime; and the cultural and symbolic significance of animals in shaping national identities.

By integrating the often overlooked entanglements between humans and animals, the event aims to enrich our understanding of past and present conflicts and the deeper realities of warfare. The goal is to lay the groundwork for a lasting research network that will strengthen collaboration and advance future studies in this growing field.

The event is free of charge and open to PhD students, early-stage and senior researchers and field experts.

Since the event aims at enabling networking and cooperation, the number of participants will be limited to 40 people. Should the number of registrations exceed this limit, the organizer will make a selection based on the relevance of applicants’ research interests and profiles to the workshop’s themes.

Register to participate

Register your interest to participate

You will be notified if you have been offered a seat no later than 20 September.

A detailed agenda and further information about the workshop will be published shortly.