Send message to Contributor
Contribution short abstract:
As a PhD scholar deeply engaged in the history of human-animal relationships. This workshop presents a unique opportunity to explore my research interests with the evolving discourse surrounding archives, knowledge production, and the blurred boundaries between humans and non-humans.
Contribution long abstract:
After completing the Master's degree, I gained the confidence to contribute to the academic domain. I joined the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, as an archival research assistant in 2022. I have been working on a project titled "Animal Care, Science and Imperialism: Colonial Project of Veterinary Medicine in British South India". My responsibilities included consulting primary sources of the colonial period from the Tamil Nadu State Archives, such as government orders from the 1870s to 1947, newspaper cuttings, and letters. Through this experience, I gained expertise in archival research. As a PhD student deeply engaged in the history of human-animal relationships, particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases. This workshop presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersections of my research interests with the evolving discourse surrounding archives, knowledge production, and the blurred boundaries between the human and non-human worlds.
Archives have traditionally been viewed as repositories of historical records, but scholars across various disciplines have started to challenge this conventional understanding. The archival records range from Government Records like revenue, public, public health, and education department reports, correspondences and proceedings related to the veterinary departments are valuable. Archives are not just passive repositories but active knowledge production and engagement sites. This shift in perspective has opened up opportunities to explore how archives can serve as spaces for reimagining human-animal relationships and understanding zoonotic diseases beyond traditional frameworks.