Resume

Bio

Emily Major is a PhD scholar in Human-Animal Studies at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her thesis research focuses on the framing of the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) as a ‘pest’ in Aotearoa New Zealand and considers how the strategic use of compassionate conservation could potentially alleviate some of the suffering and cruelty that is directed towards the indefensible possum (and ‘pests’, more generally) in the region.

Her research interests include, but are not limited to, speciesism, Critical Animal Studies, intersectionality, the wildlife/pet trade, wildlife rehabilitation and release, human/wildlife conflict mitigation, and compassionate conservation. In addition to academic activism through her PhD research, Emily is helping create a global Roots & Shoots campaign, Embrace the Wild, for the Jane Goodall Institute. Embrace the Wild promotes the (eco-friendly) restoration and (kid-friendly) creation of both urban and rural habitats for at-risk species of flora and fauna across the globe.

She also has two beautiful rats, Grace & Frankie (the little angels below), who bring an immense amount of joy, especially at times when the world seems so bleak.

Grace & Frankie

Education

Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human-Animal Studies
2019 – 2022
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Master of Anthrozoology
2014 – 2017
University of Exeter
Exeter, United Kingdom

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography
2007 – 2011
Queens University
Kingston, Canada

Certifications

Online/Remote Tutor Training
2021
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Advanced Tutor Training
2021
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Tutor Training
2019
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
2012
Oxford Seminars
Kingston, Canada

Employment

Teaching

Online Course Facilitator
2021 – Present
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Guest Lecturer
2020
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Teaching Assistant
2019 – Present
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

English Teacher / Head Teacher
2013-2015
Sogang University Language Program
Pohang, South Korea

Research

Author of NZCHAS Research Blog
2021-Present
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Research Assistant
2021
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Research Assistant
2019 – 2020
Lincoln University / Department of Conservation
Lincoln, New Zealand

Service

Academia

Postgraduate Representative & Committee Member
2019 – Present
Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA)
Christchurch, New Zealand

AASA Conference Presentation
2021
Australasian Animal Studies Association Conference
Sydney, Australia

EACAS Conference Presentation
2021
European Association for Critical Animal Studies Conference
Edge Hill, United Kingdom

NZCHAS Symposium Presentation
2021
New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies
Postgraduate Symposium
Christchurch, New Zealand

NZCHAS Symposium Organiser
2021
New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies Postgraduate Symposium
Christchurch, New Zealand

Summer Scholar Advisor
2019-2020
Lincoln University/Department of Conservation
Lincoln, New Zealand

Conference Presentation
‘Decolonising Animals’ Conference Presentation
2020
Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA)
Christchurch, New Zealand

‘Decolonising Animals’ Conference Co-Organiser
2020
Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA)
Christchurch, New Zealand

International Student Representative
2015 – 2017
The University of Exeter
Exeter, United Kingdom

Activism

Co-Creator of ‘Embrace the Wild’, an International JGI Roots & Shoots Campaign
2019 – Present
Jane Goodall Institute Global
United Kingdom

Roots & Shoots Regional Coordinator
2019-2020
Jane Goodall Institute of New Zealand
Canterbury, New Zealand

Research Assistant
2019 – 2020
Lincoln University
Lincoln, New Zealand

Animal Care Volunteer
2016-2017
Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre
Napanee, Canada

Animal Care Volunteer
2016
Merazonia Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre
Mera, Ecuador

Animal Care Volunteer
2012
Elephant Nature Park
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Other

Contributing Author
2013 – 2014
Global Looking Glass Magazine
San Francisco, United States

Queen’s Feminist Review Board Member
2010 – 2011
Queen’s University
Kingston, Canada

Honours & Funding

Awards

Denise Russell Prize for Animal Ethics
2019
Highly Commended Research Paper for “Milked to Death: How Planned Obsolescence (De)Values Animal Bodies and Their Right to Life at Canadian Dairy Farms“
Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA)
Christchurch, New Zealand

Dean’s List
2011
Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario

Scholarships

UC Doctoral Scholarship
2019 – 2022
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand

Queen Elizabeth Aiming for the Top Scholarship
2007
Queen’s University
Kingston, Canada

Grants

Laura Bassi Scholarship Finalist
2021
Editing Press
Canada

Culture and Animals Foundation Research Grant
2021
Culture and Animal Foundation
United States

Affiliations

Memberships

Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA)
2019 – Present

New Zealand Human-Animal Studies Association (NZCHAS)
2019 – Present

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