[October 14, 2025] The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why it Matters with Christine Webb

[Audrey Becker]

Hello Animal Studies,

The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program is excited to host "The Arrogant Ape: the Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why it Matters" with NYU Professor Christine Webb, co-sponsored by NYU Animal Studies and the Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy. Please see below for more information and registration.

We hope to see you there!

Best,

Audrey

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NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program presents The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why it Matters with Christine Webb Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 4:00pm-5:15pm ET Hemmerdinger Hall | Silver Center 31 Washington Place Vegan reception to follow Register to Attend In Person Register to Attend Online About the talk In this talk, based on her new book The Arrogant Ape, Christine Webb will explore how the deeply ingrained ideology of human exceptionalism has infiltrated the sciences and shaped our understanding of the life around us. Drawing on compelling stories and fresh research, she will invite us to see other animals on their own terms — challenging our assumptions and reshaping how we think about both them and ourselves. The event will conclude with a vegan reception for in-person guests. About the speaker Christine Webb is an Assistant Professor in New York University's Department of Environmental Studies, where she is part of the Animal Studies program. She is a broadly trained primatologist with expertise in social behavior, culture, cognition, and emotion. Her research also explores how contemporary norms and institutions shape scientific knowledge of animals and the environment, with a critical emphasis on human exceptionalism. Her work has been covered by popular outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, and the BBC. This event is hosted by the NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program and co-sponsored by the NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy and the NYU Animal Studies Program. Register to Attend In Person Register to Attend Online The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program aims to advance understanding about what wild animals are like, how humans and wild animals interact, and how humans can improve our interactions with wild animals at scale. We pursue this goal through foundational research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as through outreach to academics, advocates, policymakers, and the general public. If you are not currently on our email list and would like to join, you can sign up here. If you would no longer like to receive emails from the NYU Wild Animal Welfare program, please request to be removed from our list by emailing audrey.ly...@nyu.edu.