Research candidate

Lindsay Tanner

Research topic

Simian spectre: Redefining humanity after Darwin

Prior to the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, it was widely accepted that human beings were a species entirely separate and distinct from, and elevated well above, the animal world. Almost overnight the dominant narrative changed when Origin was published, and recognition of direct human consanguinity with apes displaced the previous explanation. This fundamental change in the content of humanity's self-image sent profound and prolonged shock-waves through British society, and played an important role in shaping social change in the latter nineteenth century, including the emergence of “scientific racism”, the rapid growth of animal rights and animal welfare movements, and evolving social norms in hygiene, morals and behaviour.

Supervisory team

Principal supervisor: Professor Joy Damousi
Co-supervisor: Professor Susan Broomhall, Professor Kate Fullagar