In creating this conference, we have intentionally designed a scholarly, academic space. All presentations or facilitated panels by invited guests will focus on analysis of the current state of veganism in relationship to a specific academic discipline. Most of those in attendance will already be familiar with the current, mainstream rhetoric used in the movement, so we will emphasize discussions of innovation, self-critique, and re-examination. Sessions will vary in length between 45 and 90 minutes.

A distinguishing factor of our conference is that we hope that the invited guests will leave having learned just as much as our attendees. We intend to create an atmosphere of open expression and productive dialogue, where we can examine vegan activism and advocacy with an academic lens and challenge ourselves to do better; to take the next step; to alter our future course(s) of action and scholarship based on the wealth of progressive intellectualism that we shall apply to these issues.

Among the attendees there will be committed scholar-activists who are challenged by their peers demanding high academic rigor in each assertion about veganism. The inundation in a sea of highly competent critical peers has had a lasting impact on the work of each scholar-activist and forced him or her to develop new ideas and paradigms. By introducing new ideas to break into untapped avenues, we can dramatically grow our numbers within the Ivy League and from there, directly and indirectly, create enormous influence within the academy and beyond.

Previous Conferences:

iV2012 – University of Pennsylvania
In March 2012, The Penn Vegan Society hosted the pilot iV conference. Approximately 50 students from across the Ivy League were in attendance.
Talks included:
Effective Advocacy, Psychology and the Power of Persuasion, Nutrition Science and Misconceptions about Plant-based Diets, Ethical Fashion, and more.

Click here for the iV 2012 recap.