Kendra Coulter, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Labour Studies, has been named a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics for her outstanding contributions to the field.

With this Fellowship, Coulter joins the Centre’s exclusive cadre of accomplished academics who are “pioneering new work in animal ethics — helping to press the envelope in terms of new thinking,” according to Centre Director, Professor Andrew Linzey.

“I am very honoured to receive this distinction,” Coulter says. “I am looking forward to contributing further to the Centre’s admirable academic community.”

To be considered for Fellowship, nominees must have a deep commitment to the ethical treatment of animals and demonstrate excellence in scholarly work and relevant research. The selection process is rigorous with only a small proportion of nominees appointed.

Coulter was nominated by Keri Cronin, Associate Professor of Visual Arts and Brock’s incoming Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities. Cronin is also a Fellow.

“I cannot think of a better fit for the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics,” Cronin says. “Dr. Coulter is an engaged, dynamic scholar who is doing cutting-edge work on an incredibly important and timely topic. She is also an excellent instructor and mentor to her students, and a kind, compassionate colleague.”

Coulter is widely recognized as a leading and innovative analyst of labour involving animals. Her SSHRC-funded research has helped her create and develop the concept of humane jobs as a new way to think about and promote work that benefits both people and animals.

Her pioneering research projects on animal cruelty investigations and horse-human well-being are making waves provincially, nationally and globally.

“It’s a critically important time to not only be deepening our understanding of animals, but also to be building knowledge that helps improve and save their lives,” she says.

Coulter’s outstanding contributions have already been celebrated through her Brock Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence and her induction into the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

With Coulter’s nomination to Fellow, Brock now has three faculty members associated with the Centre. Associate Professor of Sociology Lauren Corman is an Associate Fellow.

“I’m in very good company and sincerely grateful for the support and encouragement of these wonderful women,” Coulter says.