In this talk, Alexander Huntley will discuss The Vegan Society’s latest work uncovering why men are less likely than women to go vegan and what we can do to address this phenomenon. Alexander will cover the main issues that men may experience preventing them from going vegan which includes social stigma, misinformation and rigid gender expectations. In this talk you can expect to learn about a highly relevant and complex topic and find out more about The Vegan Society’s plans for future research in this area.

Freedom for Animals fights for the freedom of animals held captive for entertainment across a variety of industries, and spreads awareness on the many misleading and incorrect claims the industry advertises to the public to make money. Zoos and aquariums etc are often less talked about in the animal rights community, with many claims of conservation still widely discussed. We aim to shine a light on the truth of what animals must endure in these institutions, and debunk some of the myths, such as conservation and education claims, surrounding them.

Cows produce milk to feed their babies – just like humans. It flows for the best part of a year and then stops. More milk requires more babies. That’s the reality of dairy farming – the visible, obvious side of the industry. But there is another, cruel, much darker side to dairy which few see and even fewer know about. Viva! uncovered the industry’s dirty secrets by going undercover.

By exploring Animal Justice Project’s investigations, I will show that assurance scheme, RSPCA Assured, is yet another smokescreen for the ‘humane’ and ‘higher welfare’ lie.

Want to do more for animals but don’t know how? Do you struggle to see yourself doing the usual things activists do? Or maybe you’re active but feel it’s not quite enough? This interactive workshop will explore how you can step into your power and contribute to the movement in your own authentic way. All backgrounds and personalities welcome – no experience necessary!

Overview of the campaign and current developments.

For people new to veganism and plant based diets, it can be a bit confusing trying to work out all the different aspects of this way of life. This short talk (30 mins) outlines the basics of veganism, the benefits of plant based diets and lifestyle choices, and the animal rights position alongside a short history of the movement. Clarity and consistency are key areas for communicating effectively and anyone attending will benefit from these aspects. Everyone welcome and especially people new to it all and wanting a quick, clear, straightforward, short and simple overview of all things vegan and plant based.

Founded in 1998, Animals Asia is devoted to ending bear bile farming, the cat and dog meat trade and the exploitation of wild animals in captivity across Asia. We work with local populations to promote compassion and respect for all animals and to bring about long-term change.
The Animals Asia team has been rescuing bears since 1994 and we operate award winning bear rescue sanctuaries in China and Vietnam; we are the only organisation with a bear sanctuary in China. In addition, our campaigns aim to educate the general public to put an end to a gruesome and unregulated dog and cat meat trade and to improve the lives of wild animals in captivity.

With most UK supermarkets and food companies committing to go cage-free by 2025, I will expose why cage-free is no better for egg laying hens. Using examples from our current investigation series, Rotten, I will explain how ‘welfare’ levels such as ‘free-range’ and assurance schemes, like RSPCA Assured and British Lion, do very little to protect hens. I’ll conclude with the most important actions we can take to protect hens and all animals who are farmed by supporting in holding these industries to account.

Do your communications have the power to shape attitudes towards animal freedom? Are you using the best messaging strategies to touch hearts and minds?

In this session, Animal Think Tank will explore what narratives strategies made other freedom movements successful, and we’ll present a new narrative framework backed by public research and data-driven insight. From social progress to morality, and thoughtful dialogues around animals’ abilities, you’ll understand how these themes can ignite empathy, reshape our interactions with other animals and change the narrative landscape for good.

With 90 per cent of the world’s wild fish populations in decline, fish farming is on the rise – but it’s not the solution to overfishing our oceans. Much like land-based factory farms, intensive salmon farms carrel thousands of highly sensitive individuals into cramped and crowded cages with poor hygiene in which they suffer day in, day out.

Scottish salmon producers perpetuate false assurances about fish being ‘responsibly sourced’ and hide behind meaningless stamps of approval; whilst killing off not just farmed salmon in their millions, but also vital ecological habitats that sustain the planet. In this session, you’ll learn what it’s like to go undercover to expose the gruesome reality of fish farming and the battles we face as activists when it comes to campaigning for fish.

Ray is an Author and freelance writer from Essex in England. Her debut novels, Earthlings and Dominion, books one and two of a young adult fantasy trilogy have won multiple awards and are Amazon Best-Sellers in multiple categories. The final instalment, Land of Hope and Glory, is eagerly awaited by readers and set for release in late 2023, having secured a three-book publishing deal with FCM Media & Chronos Publishing for the trilogy.​

When Ray isn't writing, she is happiest exploring nature with her children and two rescue dogs Phoenix and Freyja, and teaching Writing For Nature workshops across the country to inspire others to be a voice for animals and the wild world through literature.

Ray's books are published on recycled paper where possible and she plants 1 tree per book sale via Ecologi. It is Ray's dream to one day open The Peridot Animal Sanctuary and Wildlife Reserve in England and that dream inspired Ray to close her business of fifteen years to pursue a writing career.

A firm believer of magick, Ray can often be found stargazing under the moon with a tarot deck in one hand and a strong cuppa in the other.