Susan Nance

Susan Nance is a Professor in the History Department at the University of Guelph, Canada, since 2004. She is also an affiliated faculty member at the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare since 2007 and serves as Lead Editor and Co-Founder of the scholarly journal Animal History (2023–present). Her research bridges animal history, environmental history, human-animal relationships, and entertainment history, with a focus on the North American West and America in the world. Currently, she is investigating Animals of the Las Vegas Strip, a SSHRC-funded project examining the history of wild and exotic animal trade in the U.S.

• Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (2003)
• M.A. and B.A., Simon Fraser University (1999, 1997)

Her research interests include animal history, environmental history, interspecies performance, and entertainment industries. Her work often explores the ethical dimensions of human-animal interactions in historical contexts.

Recent publications highlight trends in animal commodification, circus and rodeo cultures, and animal welfare debates. She has contributed extensively to animal studies, historical methodology, and human-animal dynamics across various media, including books, edited volumes, and journal articles.

Scientific Awards:

• 2021 Thomas J. Lyon Book Award (Western American Literary and Cultural Studies)
• Shortlisted for the Wallace K. Ferguson Prize (Canadian Historical Association)

Her role as an educator and researcher is complemented by her media contributions and public engagement, particularly through platforms like the AHA Today Blog and The Conversation.