About

Animals and their movements offer a dynamic lens for understanding the biological and social worlds we share. This teaching resource situates animals within the politics of movement, opening new perspectives in the history of science and other disciplines. It builds on Animal Mobilities, volume 40 of Osiris, edited by Tamar Novick, Lisa Onaga, and Gabriel N. Rosenberg (2025).

Each teaching module is based on one of the articles from Animal Mobilities.
A historical image visually introduces a hands-on guide to classroom instruction. Together, they explore key mobility themes like captivity, affect, and agency, while providing historical sources, discussion questions, assignment ideas, and suggested readings to support innovative approaches to teaching animal histories across disciplines.

People

Executive editors: Tamar Novick, Lisa Onaga, Gabriel N. Rosenberg
Managing editor: Marianna Szczygielska
Design and web development: Johanna Oeste
Technical support: Robert Casties
Copyediting: Melanie Glienke, Gina Partridge-Grzimek
Artwork: Detail from Ann McCoy, The Night Sea Journey, 1979, pencil on paper on canvas, 108 × 165½’’. Image courtesy of the artist.

Module Authors

Shira Shmuely is an assistant professor at the Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University. Her research explores the interplay of knowledge and ethics in the history of human–animal relations.

Rebecca Woods is associate professor at the University of Toronto jointly appointed to the Department of History and the Institute for the History of Science and Technology. Her work examines the intersections of science, environment, and animals.

Raf De Bont is professor of the history of science and the environment at Maastricht University. His research concerns the history of human–animal relations, scientific ecology, and nature protection, as well as the spatial dynamics of biological research.

Marianna Szczygielska is a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. She brings queer and decolonial approaches into reflection on human–animal relations.

Referencing

If you would like to cite this website in a bibliography or footnote, we suggest this reference:

Novick, Tamar, Lisa Onaga, Gabriel N. Rosenberg, Marianna Szczygielska. “Animal Mobilities: A Teaching Resource.” Last modified MONTH DAY, YEAR [if available] / Accessed MONTH DAY, YEAR. URL.

If you have any questions or you would like to contact us, please write to mszczygielska[at] mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de.