Human-Animal: Explorations at the Hyphen

Abstract

This research project aims to explore one aspect of the culture/nature dualism, that of human/animal. It will not be possible to explore this dualism without simultaneously exploring woman/man, self/other, public/private, and the list goes on, for to unravel one dualism is to begin to unravel them all. I propose to do this by conducting semi-structured comprehensive interviews with animal trainers at a marine mammal facility to explore human/animal relations. The marine mammal facility where my interviewees currently work (or have worked) did not endorse this research. The interviewees agreed to be interviewed only if their identities and the identity of their workplaces are kept confidential. Therefore I use the pseudonym Dolphin Fun for the 2 facility, and varying pseudonyms for the trainers as well. Dolphin Fun is a captive dolphin facility that offers unique interactive programs with the animals. By interviewing marine mammal trainers at Dolphin Fun, I want to explore how the intersection of relationships between animals, trainers, places, and spaces form meanings and practices in everyday life. The objective of this research is to study what those meanings and practices tell us about human/animal boundaries, nature/culture dualisms, systems of domination, multiple subject positions, and the politics of resistance and care.