Animals and Institutions

Leslie Irvine is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she also serves as the Director of the Animals and Society Certificate Program. She earned her Ph.D. from Stony Brook University and has dedicated her academic career to exploring the complex roles that animals play in society. Dr. Irvine is the author of several influential books, including My Dog Always Eats First, which examines the relationships between homeless individuals and their companion animals, and Filling the Ark: Animal Welfare in Disasters, which reflects on her experiences working with animals rescued after Hurricane Katrina.Her research interests encompass a wide range of topics, including animal sheltering, animal abuse, and the feminization of veterinary medicine. Dr. Irvine's work has been published in various academic journals, and she has received numerous accolades for her teaching and leadership, including awards for excellence in mentorship and service. At CU Boulder, she teaches courses such as "Animals and Institutions," "Animals, Self, and Society," and "The Changing Status and Perception of Animals," where she engages students in critical discussions about human-animal relationships and their implications for society. Through her scholarship and teaching, Leslie Irvine continues to advance the understanding of animals' significance within social contexts.