YKES

The Society for Social and Cultural Animal Studies (YKES) is a Finnish organisation that promotes interdisciplinary research into relationships between humans and other animals. It brings together researchers, students and others interested in how animals are understood, represented and positioned in society and culture. Its work explores topics including animal agency, human-animal relations, cultural practices, law and political decision-making.

YKES organises the annual Animal Studies Days, an international conference where researchers, artists and students present their work and discuss current questions in the field. It also supports public engagement through Elonkirjon bussi, a science education initiative that visits primary schools and encourages children to consider relationships between humans and other animals. The society publishes Jälki, a free, open-access, peer-reviewed online journal featuring research articles, essays, reviews and conference reports in Finnish, English and Swedish. In addition, YKES recognises outstanding master’s theses through a thesis competition and welcomes members from any discipline or approach. Through these activities, it fosters collaboration, research and public discussion in social and cultural animal studies.