For operating committees and special projects, initiatives, and interests, the Brooks Institute hosts and facilitates Summits. Such Summits convene the very top subject matter experts in animal law, animal policy, and animal studies from multiple disciplines. The aim is to hear from experts on what they think the most pressing questions are in the targeted subject matter.
Loosely modeled on a mini-version of the Bellagio Institute concept, a Summit is typically held over one to three days, with plenty of free time to mingle and exchange ideas in a less formal context. Each invited participant may lead a discussion on their ongoing or recently completed research or other endeavors. The primary goal is to stimulate engaged dialogue and creative thinking across multiple disciplinary approaches in order to generate big and bold ideas about where the future of the target subject matter ought to be headed.
Often planned is asking each participant to commit to a filmed interview during the course of the event. This interview will cover topics relating to the participant’s own research or other endeavors, views on the past, present, and future of the participant’s field, and the participant’s assessment of the biggest challenges in research and practice facing animal protection efforts. There may also be a video series produced based on the interviews. We hope published reports and any related voice or video materials will have a strong influence on the next generation of research and thinking in the field.
Brooks Summits are really a unique opportunity for brainstorming and networking of subject matter experts interested in the intersection of animal studies with application to law and policy.
Brooks Institute Previous Summits
Brooks Annual Workshop for Scholars (BAWS) 2023
Institutionalized Cruelty Summit 2022
Animal Law and Science Summit 2022
Brooks Annual Workshop for Scholars (BAWS) 2022
Courtroom Animal Advocate Programs (CAAP) National Task Force Summit 2021