What About the Animals? A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of the Consideration of Animals in Swedish National Disaster Management through a Disaster Management as Care Framework
2025 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Disaster management is rooted in anthropocentrism, meaning its primary concern is humans and their safety. However, in disasters, it is not only humans who are vulnerable and in danger, but animals as well. Animal disaster management literature has long called for the consideration of animals, primarily companion animals, in disaster management. Research has shown that when animals are considered in disaster management it is often in relation to humans. How humans and institutions value animals can impact the consideration of animals in disaster management, which in turn can affect their safety in disasters. This thesis aims to examine how animals are considered in Swedish national disaster management by modifying Connolly and Cullen’s (2018) theoretical Ethics of Care Framework into a Disaster Management as Care Framework. Furthermore, the Disaster Management as Care Framework is this thesis’ theoretical contribution. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were developed: (1) Animals as a means to an end; (2) For the sake of the animals; (3) Animals in relation to humans; and (4) Animals as a source of disease. These themes are indications of how animals are considered in Swedish national disaster management. This consideration of animals in disaster management can have positive or negative consequences for their safety in disasters.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 58
Keywords [en]
animal disaster management, ethics of care, human-animal relations, reflexive thematic analysis, Sweden
National Category
Political Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:fhs:diva-13528OAI: oai:DiVA.org:fhs-13528DiVA, id: diva2:1939731
Subject / course
Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security
Educational program
Master's programme in Politics, Security and Crisis
Uppsok
Social and Behavioural Science, Law
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-02-272025-02-242025-09-29Bibliographically approved