Carlow College, St Patrick’s is delighted to host a conference titled: ‘Humanity Dick – A Conference in Honour of Richard Martin: The Evolution of the Human-Animal Relationship in European Thought from the Eighteenth Century to the Present’. The event will be held on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd February 2025, from 12.30pm on Friday, and 10am on Saturday.  

Taking place over two days, this conference pays tribute to the legacy of Richard Martin (1754-1834), an Irish politician and pioneering animal rights advocate. Martin, one of the founding members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), was instrumental in the passing of the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act, 1822, a landmark piece of legislation and the first of its kind in animal welfare law. The conference will explore Martin’s contributions and extend discussions into the evolution of human-animal relationships over the past two centuries. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with philosophical, historical, and literary perspectives on how animals have been perceived and treated across different periods. The conference will feature thought-provoking speakers, highlighting animals as companions, workers, symbols, and subjects of ethical and moral debate. The event is open to academics, students, and members of the public, offering an inclusive and engaging space for dialogue. 

Some of the Panels included explore the themes of:  

• Beasts, Bots and Beyond: Reimaging the Human-Animal Relationship in Future Worlds 

• Workhorses and Wealth: Animals, Capitalism and the Cost of Care 

Dr. Noel Kavanagh, conference organiser at Carlow College, St Patrick’s, notes: 

‘We are especially proud to showcase some of the work of our undergraduate researchers here at Carlow College, St Patrick’s. These early career scholars who took the “Humans and Other Animals” module will present some very interesting ideas on the human-animal relationship.’ 

Emphasising the public-facing nature of the conference, Noel added: 

‘This conference is intentionally public-facing. We want to bring the public with us as we explore how the human-animal bond has evolved over the last two centuries. With that in mind, we have some panels and events that will appeal to a general audience. On Friday, we have two panels taking place, consisting of seven speakers who specialise the Human-Animal relationship, and on Saturday afternoon, Peter Phillips, Founder of Tedfest and author of  Humanity Dick: The Eccentric Member from Galway, will outline Richard Martin’s role in improving animal welfare standards and creating awareness about the human-animal bond.’ 

With a dynamic lineup of scholars and experts, ‘Humanity Dick’ promises to be an engaging and insightful event for anyone interested in animal rights, history, and ethical discourse.  

Full conference details and schedule can be found at carlowcollege.ie/research – all those intrigued by the evolution of human-animal relationships are welcome to attend.