Animal welfare is an increasingly important area of legal and ethical debate, with animal law emerging as a growing specialist field. For legal professionals and those interested in protecting animals, the eleventh Annual Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School offers a unique opportunity to explore the challenges and strategies involved in advancing animal welfare.

The Summer School will bring together experts from around the world to discuss how legal, political and social change can help improve the lives of animals. The event will be of particular interest to anyone considering a career in animal law or with a passion for animal welfare.

“Ethical Strategies for Animal Protection” is the theme that will be examined at the eleventh Annual Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School. Organised by the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, the Summer School takes place at Merton College, Oxford, from the 3rd to 6th August, 2026. This year’s topic was chosen by popular demand, with participants eager to discuss strategies for improving the lives of animals. 

Many animal advocates bemoan the slowness of positive change for animal protection worldwide. To meet this concern, the 2026 Annual Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School aims to examine, inter alia, the legal, philosophical, political, historical, religious, cultural, sociological, educational and media factors that prevent the full realisation of the moral status of animals. 

The Summer School will also explore the ways in which such obstacles can be overcome both practically and philosophically. In addition, the School is interested in the strategies of other social movements that have tried, successfully or unsuccessfully, to bring about change.

Having received a huge response to their call for papers, this year’s summer school promises an exciting line-up of speakers from across the globe, covering multiple disciplines. Speakers from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia will address the Summer School. 

In light of the ongoing trans-Atlantic partnership between the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and The George Washington Law School’s Animal Law programme, the programme includes four presentations from the latter’s faculty and students. Assistant Dean of the Animal Law Program, Professor Kathy Hessler, will be talking on “Developing focused strategic approaches: Starting with Octopus Farming.” 

With two programmes running concurrently in different areas of the College, delegates can start the official programme hearing about either “Animal testing without the animals? The role of animal-derived MPS in regulatory science” or “Putting animals back Into The Animal Welfare Act”. The full programme ends on the subjects of “Toward a theological ethic of creaturely listening: Animal theology in an age of AI” and “Animal law education as a Strategy for increased ethical sensitivity to animals”. This is just a glimpse into the huge breadth of subject matter that will be covered over the four days.

Director of the Oxford Annual Animal Ethics Summer School, Dr Clair Linzey commented: “The cause of animals has become increasingly urgent. We are excited to welcome thinkers to discuss practical strategies for improving the lives of animals. Helping people to think differently about animals is key to making positive change.”

The Summer School is presented within the historic and beautiful buildings and gardens of Oxford University’s Merton College. It is always a sociable affair too, with plenty of opportunity for delegates to get to know one another and discuss lectures and workshops, at meals, and socials each evening, not to mention a champagne reception and a Gala Dinner on the penultimate evening.

Sponsors will be presenting their impressive work, including Cruelty Free International, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, philanthropists Susan and Dan Boggio, and Kimberley Moore, who is an expert and author on animal law.

The Summer School can be attended as a residential course, or delegates can join on a day basis.

To book your place go to: https://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/summer-school/registration/

Please note that this event fills up fast every year so early booking is recommended.

The full programme is available to view here: https://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/Programme-2026.pdf

Images of previous Summer Schools at Merton College are available to download here: https://passionfortheplanet.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/EiKnzQ5NdY9LjJdS8lovXmMBW8AoWLArfQVWvs1MdSnIZg?e=6N2ifD

The Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics is an independent centre pioneering ethical perspectives on animals through academic research, teaching, and publication. The Centre comprises more than 100 academic Fellows worldwide.

Web: www.oxfordanimalethics.com/home  

Instagram: @oxfordanimalethics 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oxfordanimalethics   

LinkedIn: Dr Clair Linzey https://www.linkedin.com/in/clair-linzey-ab012272/