Sarah Gradidge

[email protected]
Linkedin

Background

Thesis title:

The Influence of Species on Perceptions of Animals

Supervisory Team

Dr Magdalena Zawisza
Dr Annelie Harvey
Dr Daragh McDermott

Research Group

Sarah is a member of our Societies Research Area, which forms part of our ARU Centre for Societies and Groups.

Summary of Research

Sarah's research concerns the influence of species on perceptions of animals. For instance, why do many people care for dogs as family, yet eat pigs, despite pigs being ostensibly similar to dogs in behaviour, appearance, sociality, emotionality, and intelligence (Joy, 2011)? This concept can be termed 'speciesism' and is of great research importance, as pigs (and other animals) may be morally disengaged from (e.g., Rothgerber, 2013). Current research has so far only investigated the existence of speciesism and limited causes, with little consideration of a) the implications of speciesism for perceptions of animals and behavioural intentions, b) alternative causes to speciesism besides self-relevance, and c) interventions to reduce and prevent speciesism. Sarah's research aims to address these gaps.

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

Harvey, A. J., Zawisza, M., Forwood, S. E., Gibson, N. H., Keyes, H., Roeloffs, S., Gradidge, S., & Webb, K., 2021. QR Surplus: £1.3k

Zawisza, M., & Gradidge, S., 2021. 2020-21 Mini-RA QR Fund: £1.5k

Gradidge, S., & Zawisza, M., 2021b. ARU PSS Research Financial Support: £500

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., 2021. ARU PSS Research Financial Support: £500.

Gradidge, S. Zawisza, M., 2020. ARU PSS Research Financial Support: £500.

Selected recent publications

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J. & McDermott, D. T., 2021. A structured literature review of the meat paradox. Social Psychological Bulletin, 16(3), 1-26.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., 2021. Different types of speciesism. The Psychologist.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., 2020. Toward a non-anthropocentric view on the environment and animal welfare: Possible psychological interventions. Animal Sentience, 27(23).

Gradidge, S., Harvey, A. J., 2019. Student project. In Sutton, R. & Douglas, K. (eds.), 2019., Social Psychology (2nd ed.) (London: Macmillan Education).

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., 2019. Why factual appeals about the abilities of sheep may fail. Animal Sentience, 25(42).

Gradidge, S., (ed.) February 2016. Psychobabble, 2.

Recent presentations and conferences

Conferences:

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J., & McDermott, D. T., 2021, Jul 19. The Effect of Species on Perceptions of Animals (Speciesism): Predictors and Causes. Paper presented at the 32nd International Congress of Psychology (ICP), online.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J., & McDermott, D. T., 2021, Jun 30. The Effect of Species on Perceptions of Animals: Predictors and Causes. Paper presented at Animal Advocacy Conference (AAC), Zoom.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J., & McDermott, D. T., 2021, Jun 15. Exploring Pet Speciesism. Poster presented at the ARU 15th Annual Student Research Conference, Microsoft Teams.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J., & McDermott, D. T., 2021, Mar 5. Psychological Predictors and Causes of Speciesism: The Empirical Case of Dogs vs. Pigs. Paper presented at Anthrozoology as International Practice (AIP), online.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J. & McDermott, D. T., 2020, Jul 21. Exploring Pet Speciesism. Paper presented at ARU School of Psychology and Sport Science (PSS) PhD Conference, Microsoft Teams.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J. & McDermott, D. T., 2020, Jun 29. Exploring Pet Speciesism. Poster presented at the ARU 14th Annual Student Research Conference, Microsoft Teams.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J. & McDermott, D. T., 2019. The influence of species on perceptions of animals. PhD Spring Mini-Conference, Anglia Ruskin University, April 2019.

Invited Talks:

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J. & McDermott, D. T., 2020, Feb 11. Exploring Speciesism. Invited talk presented at the University of Edinburgh Journal Club, Edinburgh, UK.

Public engagement:

Gradidge, S. & Zawisza, M., 2022. The psychology of veg*nism: Why people become, continue or give up being veg*n. The Vegan Society. Available at: https://www.vegansociety.com/get-involved/research/research-news/psychology-vegnism-why-people-become-continue-or-give-being-vegn

Gradidge, S. & Zawisza, M., 2022. How your brain wrestles with the ethics of eating animals. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/the-meat-paradox-how-your-brain-wrestles-with-the-ethics-of-eating-animals-175683

Gradidge, S. & Zawisza, M., 2021. Different types of speciesism. The Psychologist. Available at: https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-34/february-2021/different-kind-speciesism

Zawisza, M., Gradidge, S., Cornwell, E., Kelly, L., Stefanello, P., & Volpicelli, I., 2021, Sep 9. How Gender is Shaping the Pandemic. Paper presented at British Science Festival, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK.

Gradidge, S., Zawisza, M., Harvey, A. J. & McDermott, D. T., 2021, Jan 7. The psychology of veg*nism vs. non-veg*nism: Implications for climate change and the human-animal relationship. Paper presented as part of ARU Public Engagement, Microsoft Teams.

Gradidge, S., 2020. Mindful activism: Empathy. The Vegan Society. Available at: www.vegansociety.com/get-involved/research/research-news/opinion-mindful-activism

Panel Talks:

Zawisza-Riley, M., Gradidge, S., Roeloffs, S., Keyes, H., Gibson, N. H., & Harvey, A. J., 2021, May 19. Society Going Viral! The Hidden Psychology of Pandemics Across Time and Contexts. Panel talk presented as part of ARU public engagement.

Zawisza-Riley, M., Gibson, N., Gradidge, S., & Roeloffs, S., 2020, Sep 16. Society Going Viral! The Hidden Psychology of Pandemics Across Time and Contexts. Panel talk presented as part of ARU Public Engagement, ARU, Cambridge, UK.

Publicity:

Brehaut, L., 2022. The 'meat paradox': Why people can love animals — and eat them. National Post. Available at: https://nationalpost.com/life/food/the-meat-paradox-why-people-can-love-animals-and-eat-them

Gregson, R. & Piazza, J., 2022. Student showcase: Sarah Gradidge. PHAIR Society. Available at: https://phairsociety.org/2022/01/23/student-showcase-sarah-gradidge/

Mackenzie, R., 2021. Why the meat paradox causes cognitive dissonance for millions of people. Technology Networks. Available at: https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/articles/why-the-meat-paradox-leads-to-cognitive-dissonance-for-millions-of-people-356334

Herr, O., 2021. How performative masculinity has played a role in the COVID-19 pandemic. British Science Association. Available at: https://www.britishscienceassociation.org/blog/how-performative-masculinity-has-played-a-role-in-the-covid-19-pandemic