Contagions and Non-Human Animals: (Re)Viewing Disregarded Species in Real and Imagined Pandemics

The impact of the pandemic and the threat that it poses to future human experiences has been well-documented. However, now that non-human animals are possible carriers and becoming infected, their experiences, while often overlooked, are nevertheless integrated into the worldwide pandemic.

Thus, this collection seeks to balance essays about non-human animals during real-world pandemics, such as the COVID-19 one, with those of their experiences during literary or cinematic ones. The scope of this call for papers is broad and can include topics such as:

--Animals as victims of contagions

-Animals as vilified virus carriers

--Differences between wild animal and companion animal experiences

--How animals and humans are treated differently in the media during COVID-19

--How animals’ futures may change due to the current pandemic

Essays should be 5,000 to 7,000 words.

Abstracts are due by November 30, 2024

First drafts are due by May 5, 2025

Please send abstracts and a brief bio to Rachel L. Carazo at rachel.carazo@snhu.edu