Medicinal Animals and Asia:
Faunal Medicalization in an Era of Mass Extinction and Zootonic Disease Workshop
Animal parts and tissues have been used traditionally around the world as medicines as well as foods. Yet the incorporation of animals into medical systems based largely on plants is an historical process we still know comparatively little about, even in Asia, where the practice has been widespread. In the present day, most “medicinal animals” are in crisis, the subject of illegal and legal wildlife trading, driving many to the brink of extinction [Still, 2003; Symes et al, 2018 a&b; Van Uhm, 2016]. The process of “faunal medicalization” [Chee, 2021] has also been implicated in the spread of zoonotic disease, even while being promoted in some quarters as a cure. Understanding the historical and contemporary forces that have brought us to this juncture is the subject of this conference. We are particularly focusing on Asia as both a site and a global influence. As a site, certain Asian “traditional” medicines have transformed into “Asian industrial medicines” [Pordie and Hardon, 2015; Kloos and Blaikie, 2022], with animal parts and tissues becoming raw materials for a growing pharmaceuticalization of traditional zootherapies. As an influence, Asian-centered animal trading networks now have global reach, and are likely affecting or inter-mingling with pharmaceutics and zootherapies in other parts of the world. We are thus open to accepting papers that address cases in Asia, or cases elsewhere in the world with strong connections to Asia or Asian cultures. We are particularly looking for papers that are historically-informed, but help to understand and contextualize the current crisis; that work against anthropocentric bias by valuing animal survival and health in its own right; that highlight connections or disruptions in use or scale between pre-modern and modern uses of animals as medicines; that discuss how Asian faunal medicalization practices have affected species and practices across or outside Asian nation-states; and/or that explore junctions between wildlife conservation, animal medicines, and consumerism.
The organizers are historians, anthropologists, and philosophers, but we will accept papers written from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Papers should be empirically-based, however, and publishable within the special issue of a top-tier humanities or social science-based journal. Note that this is a workshop, with publication as its goal. Previously published papers or papers destined for publications elsewhere cannot be accepted.
This workshop is part of the project “History and Sustainability of Animal-Based Drugs in Asian Traditional Medicines” funded by a Tier 2 grant from the Singapore Ministry of Education (Gregory Clancey, PI; Liz P.Y. Chee, Co-PI).
The workshop will take place at the Asia Research Institute in Singapore, and selected delegates will be funded for travel, hotel, and some meal expenses. The delivery of papers via zoom is also possible for those unable to travel to Singapore.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
To participate, please send your paper proposal, which should include a title, an abstract (300-500 words, exclusive of notes), bio note (150-200 words) and a cv to Ms Valerie Yeo at valerie.yeo@nus.edu.sg by 31 January 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-February 2023. Questions regarding the theme or subject of the workshop (as opposed to administration details) should be directed to Mr Jason Ng at j.ng@nus.edu.sg.
Panel presenters will be required to submit preliminary drafts of papers (2,000-3,000) words by 1 May 2023. These drafts will be circulated to fellow panelists and discussants in advance. Drafts need not be fully polished. Indeed, we expect that presenters will be open to feedback from fellow participants.
WORKSHOP CONVENORS
MORE INFORMATION
Date:
11 May 2023 - 12 May 2023
Venue:
Hybrid (Online via Zoom & AS8 04-04)
10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260
Contact Person:
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