JMCE Summer Research Award Profile
The EU & International Animal Adoption
Annika Hugosson, a Ph.D. student in cultural anthropology, used her EU-funded research award to study international animal adoption networks within the EU, examining their connections to human-animal relations and the complexities of migration and war in Europe. During the 2023–24 academic year, Annika is conducting dissertation research on this topic in Poland, supported by a Fulbright Student Research Award. We asked her a few questions about her summer research, supported by a JMCE Summer Research Award from the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence at the UNC-CH Center for European Studies, to better understand how this experience was vital to guiding her long-term research within the EU.
Q: Please tell us about your research:
My research delves into the complicated dynamics of international animal adoption networks within the European Union (EU). These networks, while not new, have gained heightened attention due to the urgency brought about by Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. They serve as a unique lens through which to comprehend the enduring cultural and economic divisions between Eastern and Western Europe, and prevailing perceptions thereof. The core questions guiding this research revolve around the role of animals in shaping competing visions of European progress and the implications of these networks on ideas of civilization and cultural divisions within Europe. By examining the emotional, ethical, and economic dimensions that sustain transborder pet adoption networks, I aim to provide insights into the complex interplay of human-animal relations and the broader socio-political fabric of contemporary Europe.
Poland holds a unique position for commencing this research, influenced by its prevailing socio-political context. In mid-October’s parliamentary elections, discussion of Poland’s role as a member state within the European Union (EU) took center stage for many, as did migration. These elections foregrounded the Polish nation’s position within the EU, raising questions about the future of European democracy. Understanding how changes may influence policies and opinions regarding transborder pet adoption networks (as forms of migration) is crucial. Poland’s geographical, historical, and cultural context makes it an ideal starting point for exploring how the broader dynamics of the EU, in the context of these political changes, intersect with the complexities of international animal adoption networks.
Q: In what ways has the JMCE Summer Research Award enriched your research on the EU?
The JMCE Summer Research Award allowed me to build a strong foundation for long-term research. Being able to make and strengthen individual connections prior to commencing my dissertation fieldwork was invaluable. Discussions I had, both in casual conversation and in more formal meetings, provided nuanced insights that numbers and texts alone could never convey. Beyond the academic enrichment, this experience expanded my personal network and provided the opportunity to immerse myself in the captivating cultures of several European cities. I was also able to practice my Polish language skills beyond my classroom at UNC. That was huge — when I resumed my Polish course in the fall, I was shocked at how much progress I had made in the language.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in applying for the JMCE Summer Research Award?
Choose a project that resonates with your passions and aligns with your long-term goals. Design a project that you really want to do and will enjoy doing — not necessarily what you think someone wants to see. In doing that, you play to your own genuine strengths and interests, organically. That authenticity will shine through in your application. If you propose a research idea that truly excites you, the rest is easy. Design around a curiosity that you have and seek input from professors and advisors at various points to workshop feasibility and make realistic goals against that curiosity. Some of the best advice I have gotten in the course of being a Ph.D. student is that you are allowed to actually enjoy the research you are doing!
Q: What are your career aspirations, and how do these connect to the EU?
My career aspirations revolve around shaping a meaningful impact through academic research and education. This year, I am furthering my research on human-animal relations in Poland as a Fulbright Student Researcher. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to both academia and societal discourse, shedding light on critical issues within the European Union (EU) and beyond. I aspire to bridge the gap between academic inquiry and practical application, advocating for more humane and informed policies within the EU for humans and nonhuman animals alike.
The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
