Chris Packham is a conservationist and broadcaster known for his environmental and animal welfare activism.  His TV credits include ‘Springwatch’ and ‘Earth’ for the BBC and ‘Is it Time to Break the Law’ for Channel 4. Alongside his ambassadorial roles for numerous NGO’s he runs independent campaigns, aimed at nature recovery and ending animal cruelty, via the not-for-profit, Love and Rage. He is also one of the founders of  Wild Justice, a not-for-profit funded solely by donations, that takes legal challenges against the UK’s devolved governments and its agencies on behalf of wildlife.  Please note: Chris’s keynote will be pre-recorded and delivered virtually. 

Justin has published three books with Cambridge University Press, including Truth and Transparency: Undercover Investigations in the Twenty-First Century  (with Alan Chen), which was awarded the Tankard prize for the best book in journalism and communication in 2023.  Justin has authored more than 50 academic articles, has litigated a variety of animal protection cases, and is involved in a variety of legislative efforts seeking to improve the status of animals in the law.

Jessica Allen is a barrister at No5 Chambers whose practice encompasses all areas of environmental law, including public law, planning, and EU/international law. She has produced articles, briefings, and consultation responses on a range of environmental law matters – from habitat conservation and biodiversity loss to environmental pollution and climate change. 

PhD candidate at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the University of Münster (cotutelle). Funded by CAPES and DAAD. Administrative director of the Brazilian National Association for Animal Rights Lawyers and co-founder of the Centro de Estudos sobre Animais e o Antropoceno (CEAA), serving as academic coordinator.

Yann is a lecturer in environmental law and public international law at Edinburgh Napier and specialises in international wildlife law. Yann is also involved in a PhD in anthrozoology at the University of Exeter. Yann’s research project deals with the peaceful co-existence of leopards and Rabari shepherds in Rajasthan.

Dr. Maureen O’Sullivan is a lecturer in law at University of Galway. She has introduced the first module on Animal Law at a law school in Ireland. She is Chairperson of the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University, a Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and was Chairperson of the Vegetarian Society of Ireland for six years.

Dr. Marianne Walsh Fryer is an independent scholar who holds a PhD in biotechnology, patents, human dignity and animal dignity from University of Galway. She lectures on the Animal Law module and the Intellectual Property modules at the University and is involved in the curriculum design.

Dr Iyan Offor is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Birmingham City University and leader of the Animals, Nature & Society Research Stream (Centre for Human Rights). Iyan conducts socio-legal and theoretical research on global animal law, global environmental law, intersectionality, queer theory, posthumanism, and law & literature. Iyan recently published his monograph Global Animal Law from the Margins.

Michelle is in the second year of her PhD at BCU where she is researching how to include multispecies perspectives in law making. Prior to undertaking her studies Michelle practiced as a solicitor in New Zealand and the UK. Alongside her studies she is also the founder and trustee of The Animal Advocacy Project (TAAP). 

Blanche is a dual-qualified lawyer (UK & New York) with a background working in-house for various technology companies on a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters. Blanche is a trustee and treasurer for A-Law, and supports the Animals in Science working group..