Policy Papers
The purpose of the ASI Policy Papers series is to shape the U.S. political landscape by providing elected representatives, government officials, scholars, media and both animal protection and corporate stake-holders with the research analysis and data they need to inform the public policy debate on animal protection.
Through the Policy Papers series, the Institute provides a unique venue where investigators can develop positions on current policy issues related to human-animal relationships. Authors use existing scientific and theoretical literature to present the pros and cons of particular practices involving our treatment of nonhuman animals, framing their scientifically and theoretically grounded analysis and commentary in terms of changes in practice through regulation and legislation.
Authored by experts in their field, our series of Policy Papers provide focused information on current topics of specialized interest. They are distributed to stakeholders, including the media, lobbyists and legislators, to help them make better informed decisions on specific matters relating to the animals' interests.
The ASI has published eight Policy Papers since Fall 2006:
- Dog Bites: Problems and Solutions by Janis Bradley, which was made possible with the generous support of the Animal Farm Foundation and is now in its second printing.
- Animals in Disasters: Responsibility and Action by Leslie Irvine, PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder. This policy paper was made possible with the generous support of The Humane Society of the United States.
- Elephants in Circuses: Analysis of Practice, Policy, and Future by G. A. Bradshaw, PhD.
- Human-Animal Studies: Growing the Field, Applying the Field by Kenneth J. Shapiro, PhD.
- Dolphin-Human Interaction Programs: Policies, Problems and Alternatives by Kristin L. Stewart, JD, PhD and Lori Marino, PhD
- The Bioethics of Great Ape Well-Being by Theodora Capaldo, Ed.D and G.A. Bradshaw, PhD, PhD, which was made possible with the generous support of NEAVS (The New England Anti-Vivisection Society).
- The CAFO Hothouse: Climate Change, Industrial Agriculture, and the Law by David N. Cassuto
- Endangered Species: Saving Them and Ourselves by Linda Riebel, PhD.
Request for Proposals for the ASI Policy Papers
The ASI invites proposals for the ASI Policy Papers. Authors whose proposals are accepted are offered a $500 stipend to produce a manuscript of not more than 20,000 words. Each accepted policy paper will be published as a separately bound monograph.
The scope of the papers is any topic in the fields of Human-Animal Studies and Animal Science that has policy implications for our treatment of nonhuman animals. Examples include:
- Virtual hunting
- Cloning animals
- Animals as property under the law
- Foie gras production methods
- Spay and neutering companion animals
- Legal standing for nonhuman animals
- Forced molting
Proposals consist of a letter of inquiry of not more than five double-spaced pages containing the following information:
- Author's name and contact information
- Biographical notes and areas of expertise
- Summary of proposed policy paper
Submit proposals by electronic attachment to Ken Shapiro at ken.shapiro@animalsandsociety.org.
If accepted by the coeditors, author(s) are provided with a style-guide and invited to submit a manuscript. Each manuscript will be reviewed blind by two individuals with expertise in relevant subject areas.
