Jo-Anne McArthur, Photojournalist

Seeing Animals: The Evolving Role of Animal Photojournalism in Advocacy and Culture Change

In this presentation, Jo-Anne McArthur explores the emerging genre of Animal Photojournalism (APJ)—a field that documents the lives of animals who live in the shadows of human industry. While photography of animals has historically focused on wildlife, conservation, and companion animals, APJ centers on the billions of domestic and farmed animals whose lives are inextricably linked to our own.

McArthur discusses how compelling, rigorous visual storytelling can act as a catalyst for ethical and cultural shifts. By bringing these "invisible" animals into the light of the public eye, animal photojournalism challenges the anthropocentric gaze and provides the evidence-based media necessary to accelerate systemic change. The talk examines the power of APJ to spark empathy, dismantle the walls between the consumer and the consumed, strengthen campaigns and policy, and ultimately widen our circle of compassion.

Jo-Anne McArthur is a Canadian award-winning photojournalist, author, humane educator and animal rights advocate. She founded We Animals Media to document human–animal relationships across the globe and has published acclaimed books like We Animals.

Hosted by Yale Law, Ethics, and Animals Program and Plant Forward Yalies.