2008 Jane Goodall Fellowship Winners

Elizabeth Cherry
University of Georgia

Ron Desnoyers
Roger Williams University

 

The Jane Goodall Fellowship annually recognizes two graduate students working in human-animal studies by providing ASA membership and section dues. Fellows give a brief report of their research or review a book for the section newsletter. The recipients of the 2008 Jane Goodall Fellowship are Elizabeth Cherry (University of Georgia) and Ron Desnoyers (Roger Williams University).
Liz's research interests focus on culture and social movements. More specifically, she examines how animal rights activists choose their strategies and tactics, and how the cultures in which they work both impede and enable those choices. Her dissertation is a cross-cultural analysis of varying successes in animal rights movements entitled "Cultural Structures and Tactical Repertoires: The Animal Rights Movements in France and the United States." It analyzes how animal rights activists attempt to deconstruct symbolic boundaries between human and non-human animals, as well as between companion and farm animals. Liz's previous work has explored identity, commitment, and social networks among vegans. A paper from this research, entitled "Veganism as a Cultural Movement: A Relational Approach," appeared in Social Movement Studies (and was later reviewed in Contexts). Another chapter, entitled " 'Meat is Still Murder, Dairy is Still Rape': A Relational Analysis of Veganism in the Punk Subculture," is forthcoming in an edited volume. You can reach Liz at lcherry@uga.edu.
Ron's research examines animal cruelty and abuse, animal shelter management, and animals and public policy. He is currently enrolled in Master of Public Administration Program. He also holds Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, also from Roger Williams University. His MS thesis, entitled "Animal Cruelty in the State of Rhode Island: A Twenty-Five Year Perspective," assessed the prevalence of animal cruelty and the response of the judicial system within the state by examining all animal cruelty cases adjudicated in Rhode Island Superior Court in violation of the state's felony animal cruelty statute. This study was the first in the state and only the second in the nation to explore the phenomenon within a specific geographic area. The findings persuaded Rhode Island legislators to refrain from voting in favor of a series of amendments to existing statutes, which were not only impractical but also failed to address several inadequacies uncovered through Ron's research . Ron worked in New Orleans as a member of the Humane Society of the United States Disaster Animal Response Team in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Contact Ron at rdesnoyers@cox.net  

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Last Updated: January 9, 2008
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