Vegan Sociology: An Introduction and Review

Veganism is a political movement, philosophy, and critical theory that problematizes humanity’s oppression of other animals and, by extension, the strained relationship between animal-based food systems, climate change, and public health. These areas (food, health, justice, power, and oppression) fit securely within the jurisdiction of sociology, but the discipline has remained conspicuously silent on veganism until only recently. Over the past decade, the subfield of vegan sociology has emerged to address this gap. This article outlines the principles and goals of vegan sociology, highlights key research and debates, and identifies upcoming trends and challenges. Vegan sociology can be understood as a scholar-activist project that, in serving other animals, envisions that a fair society is possible. It is delineated from neighboring disciplines with its emphasis on nonhuman liberation and intersectional justice, its structural consciousness (including a robust criticism of capitalism), and the methodological inclusion of other animals as relevant and protected subjects.